I sit in my bedroom, legs extended across my chaise lounge, fingers typing away on my laptop. I’ve done this many times before. It is comfortable and a normal part of my lifestyle. Even my favorite writing buddy, my amazing cat, is curled up under my left arm because he knows I need my right hand to more easily control the trackpad.
But there is something different about this writing experience . . . something different entirely. This time the words I write are not for the fun of a writing challenge, a writing contest or my first book, a biography of my parent’s life. This time what I write is for an assignment given to me by FaithWriters, an assignment that earns me money.
Wow.
I earned this paid writing assignment by crafting a story to promote FaithWriters in their most recent blog contest. I wrote a story that was as creative and edgy as my mind could muster and, what do you know? I won!
The previous blog contest promoted The Pocket Testament League. I wrote a story for that one as well and placed third. This earned me $25 and resulted in opportunities to possibly write for them as well. And now, having placed first in the most recent contest, after I submit this article I will be paid $75. Then I’ll be given a second assignment followed by another $75 deposit into my PayPal account. Other than the $25 I collected from the first blog contest, this is the very first money I have ever earned for my writing and it kind of blows me away.
What I love about the blog contests is that while they give FaithWriter members an opportunity to write and compete for paid writing opportunities, they also promote some great Christian organizations. When you write for the blog contests, whether you win or not, you are helping further the kingdom by helping these ministries extend their reach throughout the world. If only one person comes to Christ as a result of my story promoting The Pocket Testament League, then I have done a most amazing thing with my gift of writing. If a budding writer discovers FaithWriters through my humorous story about angels and whipped cream, and that writer builds on their skills and is then used by God to write, how can I not be overwhelmed with gratitude that God used little ol’ me to draw them to FaithWriters? He can use little ol’ you, too, you know.
The next blog contest is called “Dying for Water”. It promotes an organization that provides clean water to the developing world where children are literally dying from a lack of water fit for human use.
Would you like your writing to count for something bigger than yourself? Do you want to make an impact on the world and perform even a small part toward bringing clean water to a village in Uganda or other developing country? According to water4.org, “Latest estimates indicate that improvements in sanitation and drinking-water could reduce the number of children who die each year by 2.2 million.” That’s just staggering.
If one person reads your blog contest submission and donates money to help bring water to dying children, wouldn’t that make it worth the time and effort you offered and the writing skills God has given you? And if you are creative enough and really grab your readers attention, how many more people might read your article or story and donate?
My journey with writing basically began with FaithWriters. I felt God urging me to write, but didn’t know where to start. I discovered FaithWriters, began writing for the challenge, and through helpful critiques from that and the critique circle I grew as a writer. A little more than a year later, I am now earning money for my writing through that very same website.
As FaithWriter members, we all have the same opportunities and we all have the choice to make the most of them or not. What will you do with your opportunities to reach the world with your gift of writing? Will you be the next one sitting in your favorite writing spot crafting an article like this that you are getting paid for? Will your cat be snuggled up on your left side so you can more easily use your trackpad?
Thank you for your encouragement to all of us to keep on using the opportunities to practice our writing skills, such as provided by Faithwriters.
God can use us to proclaim his message when we are willing. He will receive the glory for what he can do through us.
Thank you so much for your commentary! It sets me afire to start writing again. I have been idle for far too long. I am comfily esconsed on my bed, laptop atop a tray on my lap. My white Turkish Angora cat, all fluff and nonsense, sleeps at my left foot. Her nemesis Snuffy - a Psychotic Parson's Russell Terrorist - asleep beneath the covers, exhausted from thoroughly washing my right foot. Write on!
