By: Shannon Popkin
Even after I had several articled published in magazines, I didn’t call myself a writer. Even though I spent most of my free time writing, it felt too presumptuous to say, “I’m a writer.” Instead, I would say, “I like to write.” Or, “I have written a few things.” But to give myself the title, writer? I just couldn’t do it.
That is, not until I approached the registration table at my very first writer’s conference. I looked down at the label on my nametag and there it was: Writer. I hesitated, glancing out at the atrium filling with people who actually were writers. Did I need their permission? Should I show someone credentials?
Putting on that nametag felt like a deeply solemn thing to do. I took a deep breath and with gravity, feeling the weight of the action, I slipped it on.
Wearing Your Nametag
Fear is the number one thing that prompts writers and speakers to bury our “talent” in the ground, rather than investing and multiplying what we’ve been given by God. Instead of stepping up onto our platforms to boldly proclaim truth, we slip into the back section of the auditorium, labelled “Still Too Afraid”.
What sort of fears hold us back?
- Fear of being rejected by yet another publisher.
- Fear of being given low, critical reviews.
- Fear of selling an embarrassingly low number of books.
- Fear of being perceived as showy or self-serving.
- Fear of having nothing significant to say.
Do any of these sound familiar? If fear is holding you back, I’d like to offer you one simple strategy for gathering courage as you step out to write or speak, using your God-given talent. I call it the Principal of the Foreword.
Foreword
A foreword in a book is the “word” that comes “before” the main message. The foreword often offers an explanation of how this material evolved or it gives the backstory, telling what prompted the author to write it.
Instead of asking you to think about the foreword of your next book, I encourage you to think about the foreword for your ministry as a whole. How did this all begin for you? What set you on this path, in the first place?
As you consider your “foreword”, consider asking yourself these three questions:
- What first stirred me to share this message? Did I experience something significant? Was I exposed to some injustice? Were my eyes opened to some truth?
- Who affirmed me? Did someone validate my particular gifts? Who encouraged me to try? What effect did my words have?
- What doors opened? Did I have an unusual opportunity? Was I given a platform to stand on?
Take some time to think through these questions thoughtfully. Reflect and journal your responses. Consider the various legs of your platform-growing journey. Now go back and title your journal response, “My Foreword”.
The Author
Often the foreword of a book is written by someone with expertise, giving the book credibility. As you glance through your journal entry, ask yourself, “Who wrote my foreword?” If you think deeply, I think you’ll come to the conclusion that you didn’t actually write this backstory. God did.
God is the one who wove together the happenstance of your life, creating significant experiences which stirred up the messages inside of you. God also is the one who brought people to encourage, affirm, and train you. And God alone has opened the doors you’ve walked through. He’s given you opportunities and platform-building experiences.
Do you agree that God is the author of your foreword? To emphasize this, at the end of your journal entry, write, “Written by: God”.
Remembering Your Foreword
Why is this helpful? How does this exercise grant new confidence?
Suppose you’re cringing at the thought of sharing your news about a book contract on social media. Or suppose you’re worried about what people would think if you present yourself as an “expert” on any given subject. Suppose you are quivering in a corner, with a decided case of impostor syndrome, thinking, “Why did I ever set out to do this?”
In times like these, go back to your foreword. Remind yourself of the ways that God gave you this message. Review the ways other Christians have affirmed your gifts and calling. Look back at all of the doors God has opened in the past. The opportunity you now face is just one more door to step through!
Reviewing your Foreword helps put your message into context. You aren’t stepping out on a platform to share your big ideas with the world. You’re stepping out onto the platform God put under your feet to share the message he prompted you to deliver.
As you step out onto your platform, you’re part of something much bigger than yourself. You’re part of the bigger story of God.
Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me), was co-authored by Shannon Popkin and Kate Motaung, and is designed to help you think about how to gather followers of Jesus and change the world—but not in the way the world says to. Check out Shannon’s site for more resources and take the Influence Quiz here.
Bestselling author and speaker Shannon Popkin loves to blend her gifts for storytelling and humour with her passion for God’s Word. Shannon is the co-author of Influence: Building a Platform to Elevate Jesus (Not Me) and Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible. She is also a contributing blogger at Revive Our Hearts.
Shannon is happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every single day. Together, they live the fast-paced life of parenting three high school and college-aged kids. For more from Shannon, please go to shannonpopkin.com, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.