We’ve reached the halfway point! Today is Day 15 of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I’m writing my series of five minute free writes on 31 Days in the Life of a Christian Writer.

Today’s prompt is: REMAIN

In John 15:4 Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Since the above words are true for all of life, they obviously also apply to the writing life. If we desire to bear fruit with our writing, if we desire to have an impact, if we desire for others to be affected by our work, we must remain in Him.

But what does that look like in practice?

It means immersing ourselves in His Word, in close communion through prayer, in sitting under faithful preaching of the Scriptures, and in continual fellowship with His people.

These are all ways to remain in Him — both through our personal devotions, as a family, and as a church body.

By staying close to our Father, Savior, Creator, Lord, Redeemer, Provider (and so much more), we are sustained in our work and given words to write. He supplies us the inspiration, motivation, dedication, and skill required to impact the kingdom for good.

I love what the writer of Hebrews prays in Hebrews 13:20-22:

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Has God not done that for each of His children? He doesn’t give us a job without also supplying the means to accomplish it with His help.

If you’re feeling lost, discouraged, unmotivated, or just plain flat in your writing life — remain in Him. Take some time to spend alone with Him, asking for direction.