"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,
and to day, and for ever."
Hebrews 13:8


I have a personal story to share with you this month. I usually don’t do this, but God has put it on my heart to share.

Recently I felt compelled by God to take a step out of my safe surroundings and write a faith-based article for a secular publication. Not that I haven’t written for secular publications before, but my articles have not been so completely about my faith. Keep in mind also, most of my writing has been for Christian publications, so my faith and examples have been readily embraced by my readers.

So off I blindly go. I submit an article - Jesus: An Imaginary Friend. A few days later I will submit a second one entitled Faith. I have no clue what is in store for me and the temporary tailspin I would fall into.

Day One: I check my email. Woohoo! I’ve been published and will get paid. Not that getting paid is my primary motivation, but a nice bonus.

A second email waits. My article has elicited comments. I excitedly go to the publication and my article. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see and read the comments.

My heart hits the floor, a lump forms in my throat. The comments are from an unbeliever. He takes my words and twists them to suit his needs. Another writer supports his ideas.

The tailspin begins. Did I write the wrong words? Was Satan whispering in my ear instead of God? Had I naively written an article to further Satan’s cause? Maybe I shouldn’t be pretending I could write for God.

I needed a friend, like the one I had written about in the article. I turned to God, along with a couple of believing friends. My friends reassure me that my article, although misread by some, said what I wanted it to say.

I felt reassured, but I still questioned if I should continue to write about my faith and submit to secular publications. Do I have the courage and the words to reach out to unbelievers or should I pull back to my safe zone?

Day Two: My second article is published with another comment similar to the ones with my first article. An article bashing the Catholic faith is also featured on the front page of the publication. How can I write for a publication that publishes this kind of stuff? Then again how can I not? The unbelievers need to see a believer’s take on things.

Day Three: I’m still questioning myself. I know God wants me to spread His word, but I am afraid. Do I have what it takes to be a messenger for God? Time to go to Church; maybe I can find answers there.

The mass today celebrates the feast of John the Baptist. Talk about someone who didn’t play it safe. He was God’s messenger. He never questioned what he was to do and even stepped aside to let Jesus’ ministry overshadow his own.

What was so extraordinary about John? I don’t know if I would have followed him myself. After all John preached in the desert. He wore animal skins and ate locusts and wild honey. Eww! However, John and I have something in common-the thing that drew people to him. John had the Word of God; the appeal of that Word is what brought people to him. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t always popular. In fact, sometimes it was downright painful, and yet he continued to do God’s work.

The Word of God is my tool also. My audience is whoever clicks on the website and my article-believers and unbelievers alike. Granted, there is no one waiting to chop off my head, at least not literally. God will give me the words I need to reach my readers, and if it is part of His plan, their hearts will be open to Him.

If John can spread God’s word under the threat of death, then how can I do any less from the security of my office?

Day Four: I will continue to write about and share God’s word with whoever will read it. The Word of God is my strength and with it God will prevail.


Note: My articles- Jesus: An Imaginary Friend and Faith along with the comments and other articles mentioned can be seen by going to www.associatedcontent.com and then searching for Christina Weigand.

Christina Weigand
		About the author:
		Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a grade school daughter. She is also Nana to two grandchildren. She lives with her husband, and youngest daughter in Washington State.  Currently, she’s working on two fantasy novels. Her Bible study Women in the Bible published in September 2009 by Filbert Publishing. When she’s not writing she’s active in her local Church as a lector and with the church theater group. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.  More of her work can be seen at her http://angelsmuse.blogspot.com and http://yahoogroups.com/group/angelsmuse2004