When you write what the Spirit whispers, all the hosts in the heavenlies bend to listen and adore to the praises of their King. On coal-burnished lips they whisper holy over the soft sound of beating wings. The word echoes through eternity in unending repetition, holy, holy, holy.
But in the shadows where the light has cut the line and fenced the darkness, the hosts of hell take up arms. It is not their habit to let a battle-cry go unanswered, and you have raised the colors of an enemy King when you wrote His words.
This is war, whether you realize it or not. The battle rages in highest heaven and deepest earth and you have been uniquely equipped for a place in the battle by the power of your pen. It is a pen that shreds the veil and open eyes because they are not your words, they are His, and His words have the power to ruin and restore with a single thrust.
Do you take that task lightly? It is no light task to listen to what the Spirit whispers and to write “Thus sayeth the Lord.” When you write those words, eyes are opened and swords are drawn.
God’s Word is powerful. Effective. Game-changing. It is no less powerful in the hands of little-known writers or back-woods pastors.
And that is the truth that makes the underlings rise when you dare to lift your pen. Because oh, if you realize how sharp is your sword and how mighty is He who is on your side, their ruin would be sure.
Their ruin is sure.
So they respond with the coarse whispers of those who must crawl on their bellies and grovel at the gates of the Kingdom. They must speak in lies and half-truths because there is no truth in them, and no love. Where there is no love there is only fear, so it is with fearful words they speak.
You must not listen.
But then, you will not hear them, not with your ears. You will feel it with your heart and with your emotions and even with your will. And if you listen, those lies will work their fear into you and fell you. They will keep you on the ground when God has called you to arm yourself.
They will keep you from your sword.
You have been there, perhaps more often than you wish. You have been crushed by something you cannot see. But it is no less real.
When you cannot get up, when you cannot write more, it is because deep inside, you heard the cadence of lying tongues and in your weakness, you believed it, and they won.
Listen, Writer, from your place on the ground and know this: the power they hold over you is nothing like the power that lifts you up.
That is what they fear, those demons who lurk in the shadows, working the truth over forked tongues and causing you to believe you are nothing more than a writer with a word. They fear that one day, you will come to understand the truth of your calling.
You are a writer with The Word.
You are armed with a sword that always hits its mark. It has never returned to its sheath in shame, and it never will. When you pen truth, you thrust that sword right into the den of the liars.
They will claw and fight when they find you there, and you will feel the blows.
But this is not the time to shrink back. You must get back up. Secure your armor, take up your pen, and write.
–Yours in the fight,
Kristen
Kim Hall says
April 3, 2013 at 6:15 amYou said it all with this, Kristen: the power they hold over you is nothing like the power that lifts you up. Such a powerful image!
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 10:24 pmI’m so thankful for God’s strength every day!
Susan Rinehart Stilwell says
April 3, 2013 at 8:10 amI’m with Kim, Kristen — this is so powerful! And a timely message for me. I was slumping yesterday, but heard the Lord clearly tell me to get back in the Word. So that’s where I’m headed 🙂
Thank you!
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 10:23 pmWe all need breaks sometimes, and I hope this doesn’t discount the need for rest, but rather verifies the fact that this is a battle, and sometimes, we are weary. I’m glad you’ve heard the Lord telling you to get back up!
Lynn Morrissey says
April 3, 2013 at 9:14 amAh, Kristen…..yes, the pen is mightier than the sword! This is a powerful post, and it really probes my spirit. I laid down my pen–my sword–awhile back, because I believe that God wanted me to do this. But lately….I am wondering if I need to gird myself and and if He is calling me back into the battle fray, pen in hand? Pens guided by God’s hand can light the darkness. No wonder we sometimes doubt our calling. As you suggest, all hell will break loose (well, not your exact words!) to thwart us. This is a post about courage, and I thank you for writing it and for leading the charge to enter back into the war.
Blessings,
Lynn
Kristen Barnhill Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 11:27 amI put down my pen for a very long season because I believed God was asking me to prioritize my young family and I have a hard time with balance (that could be another post!).
But now that He has called me back, I have seen even more clearly how powerful this ministry is and how much God’s enemies love to push me down and silence me. Some days, I am more than willing to let them. My hope is that all writers, whether blog writers or published authors, understand the beautiful privilege and responsibility of teaching the Word through our words. It is wonderful to be in the battle with all of you!
Lynn Morrissey says
August 16, 2013 at 3:00 pmI never read your response, Kristen, and I thank you so much for it and your courage!
Leann says
April 3, 2013 at 10:22 amI have had the worst writers/bloggers block lately and was wondering if I even needed to continue because I just can’t focus on it in addition to my family life and full-time job outside the home. And this post was really eye-opening and timely for me. Thank you for this call-to-arms! I needed a kick in the pants, that’s for sure!
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 6:09 pmYou have a lot on your plate. I don’t know if that’s writer’s block or exhaustion! Take some time to rest. There’s a lot more armor than just the sword. Fill up, let Christ minister to you, then press on if God has called you to it! You are not in this alone.
Stephani says
April 3, 2013 at 11:24 amYes, yes, and yes! Thanks for this encouragement!
Janelle Marie says
April 3, 2013 at 2:29 pmKristen, this left me in shivers, the kind where you know the Spirit just made something alive in your heart. Everything about this post is amazing and grabbed me from the very first line: When you write what the Spirit whispers, all the hosts in the heavenlies bend to listen and adore to the praises of their King.
wow. in awe.
Janelle Marie
gracecalling.net
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 6:08 pmIt is so true, and when I press into that reality when I’m writing, I feel so encouraged, like I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, all cheering me on! We do not fight alone.
Christine Malkemes says
April 6, 2013 at 1:56 pmYou are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Martin Luther (one of those witnesses) said, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” and “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” or even better, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right…”
Lara Sadowski says
April 3, 2013 at 2:46 pmAbsolutely loved this post, and BOY did I need it! God has such a wonderful way of getting my attention, and he used your post to do just that, Kristen. Okay everyone … typing fingers up … LET’S GO!!! 🙂 <
Kristen Barnhill Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 3:16 pmHaha! I love that!
Linda Chontos says
April 3, 2013 at 4:54 pmI don’t usually comment here Kristen, but your words are so encouraging and just exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you for fighting the good fight.
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 6:07 pmMay God be glorified, and may you be encouraged today Linda!
hisgloryinme says
April 3, 2013 at 9:45 pmKristen, I cannot begin to tell you what your post meant to me. All I can do is to simply say, “thank you” for breathing new life and hope back into this weary, battle-scarred soul. God bless you!
Kristen Glover says
April 3, 2013 at 10:24 pmI’m grateful He was able to use me today. I’m sorry you are weary, and I hope you have others to help hold up your arms for a bit. You are not in this alone!
Anne Lashuay says
April 3, 2013 at 11:45 pmAwesome!
Heather says
April 4, 2013 at 1:58 pmThis. This is the weighty call I have felt deep to my bones these last few months. I know He wants me to write. I know He wants me to write about Him – and I am absolutely terrified. I am afraid of what others will think. I am afraid I will not know what to say. I am afraid to be vulnerable and open and exposed. But He won’t let it drop. So much so that I registered for the Allume conference before I’ve even written one blog post! Thank you for encouraging me with the awesomeness of the calling before me. To Him be the glory.
Missindeedy says
April 5, 2013 at 10:54 amKristen, this was beautiful. And powerful. Thank you! I feel emboldened to keep my “sword” at the ready as I listen for Truth to tell me what to write. And it is such an encouragement to know that the colors of the flag that I have raised symbolize He Who Has Won. This was an incredible post!
Kristen Glover says
April 7, 2013 at 1:19 pmAmen! He has won. Christ has conquered!
Christine Malkemes says
April 6, 2013 at 1:44 pmThank you Kristen for these words. I am printing them out and reminding myself to carry on when frozen in fear for I do not want to be a naked warrior running into the battle armor-less.