For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?                       
1 Corinthians 4:8 KJV

Often in this time when we have the potential to reach a worldwide audience through social media, it is easy to begin chasing likes, followers, or pages read. But God’s purpose for us as Christian writers is to tell the stories that He has written on our hearts and share them in a way that people can understand. Though there is no one way to go about doing that, here are three simple ideas that I have learned along the way.

1. Focus on God’s Target – When politicians speak, we know that they want to win elections. When prosecutors present their cases, we can be confident that they hope the defendant is found guilty. But when a Christian writer puts pen to paper the first question they should ask is “not, “How can I gain followers, but rather, “What does God want to say?” Every good story we have begins with Him. Our personal beefs, opinions and goals become secondary. But when our hearts and minds are surrendered to Him, He often cracks heaven’s blinds just enough for us to see His target.

• Accuracy Matters! Did you know that one of the things Jesus said the most was, “I tell you the truth “If accuracy mattered to Jesus, how much more with us! Accuracy means both checking we are presenting things with a solid biblical basis, as well as checking that ALL the details we are sharing, line up with the facts (just how big was that fish?). God will only guide an arrow to the target when we shoot it with the bowstring of truth. Few things have been more disheartening to me than discovering that a supposed “true story” that I read, turned out to be phony, exaggerated, or manipulated for financial gain. But if we tell the truth in all its details with love, then others can be built up, corrected or inspired.

• Get to the Point! An arrow penetrates its target because it comes to a point. Long introductions on why we are telling our story, along with a variety of rabbit trails simply dull our message. I am inspired by the Apostle Paul writing from a Roman prison to the church in Philippi, tells his friends no less than nine times to rejoice, culminating with “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Philippians 4:4. In his entire letter, Paul didn’t once complain about the food, the cold, or the unsanitary conditions in the jail. If Paul sitting on death row could get right to the point, then why can’t we? So, friends, lets focus on the target, check our details, and let our arrows fly!