It’s Day 13 of the series, 31 Days of Writing Tips, and today’s writing prompt is: REACH

Each of the posts in this series has been written as a five-minute free writing exercise in conjunction with 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes.

Find the rest of the posts in this series here.

In the blogging and publishing world, the word “reach” can become all-consuming.

How many views did your Facebook post get? How many visitors to your site? Did your latest blog post go viral? How many email subscribers do you have? How many downloads on your podcast? How many books have you sold?

The “numbers” related to platform can either puff us up or deflate us — both negative outcomes.

But what if we, as Christian writers, fought against the selfish motives wrapped up in social media and platform building and instead framed the question from a different perspective?

What if we started asking the Lord, “How many will you reach with my humble offering for Your glory?”

What if He says, “One”?

Will that be enough? Will it make your efforts worth it?

What if you are the one?

Would it be worth it then?

When I first started blogging back in 2010, I wrote for myself. That was it. Writing was a coping mechanism and free therapy while my mom was dying of cancer. But after she passed away, I started asking the question, “What if God could use the words He gives me to give just one person hope or comfort?”

I decided then and there that one person would be enough.

I wish I could say I’ve never strayed from that conviction. I’d like to say that I’ve never cared about the numbers. But with His grace and with each new day, we can keep coming back.

Keep coming back for just one. Even if that one is you.

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RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

If you struggle with the moral and spiritual tension of building a platform or audience as a Christian writer, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me) (affiliate links used):

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY NOW