Are those of us who write for the Christian marketplace “preaching to the choir,” crafting a message for those who already embrace the message?

That question has swirled in my mind for many years. It came around again last month during the Words for Writers Book Club discussion of Madeleine L’Engle’s excellent book Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art.

As I pondered the question again, I returned to an embryonic line of thought that’s gestated more slowly than I’d prefer. But as I labored with it again this week, I delivered a conclusion—a vision that fits me. Perhaps it will lead you to a vision of your own.

As a writer whose words are written for a Christian audience, I am using the spiritual gifts I’ve received, gifts I primarily use to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

After more than half a century of walking with God, the spiritual gifts imparted to me are clear: encouragement, wisdom, and faith. Those gifts often function together, and as with many of the spiritual gifts detailed in Scripture, they are effective for strengthening other believers.

My trinity of gifts manifests in a strong desire to cheerlead for others and to cheer with them. When I pair my spiritual gifts with my talent for writing, also gifted to me by the Spirit, the resulting words are meant to encourage, to inspire, to instill hope in others who follow Christ.

Whether I am writing stories for fiction readers or words to inspire and instruct writers, I have the sense that I’m standing on the sidelines, as one who’s already run the race, cheering for those whose energy may be waning. This vision, birthed just recently, is a vision I’ve lived for decades. This means the Spirit has worked in me and through me without my understanding. I am so grateful to live surrendered to a God of mystery, a God bigger than my limited understanding.

An important aspect of my vision is accepting that because I’ve already run much of the course, I am qualified to share the wisdom garnered. A week ago, I would not have had the confidence to write those words. But now I understand that the wisdom garnered was not wisdom I created. This wisdom is gifted by the Spirit—his work through me.

Those are my gifts, and that’s my vision for the words I craft.

Your gifts and your vision are yours. What has the Spirit placed in your heart?

When you read the spiritual gifts listed in Scripture (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4), do specific gifts resonate with you? Have you identified your gifts? Have you seen God use those gifts in your relationships with others?

Are you using your gifts to write for a Christian audience? Or are your gifts better suited for those who’ve not yet met Jesus? If you have the gift of evangelism, you’re likely drawn to write and publish in the general marketplace.

Whether or not you’ve identified your spiritual gifts or have knowingly paired those gifts with your desire and talent to write, the Spirit is working and writing through you if you are living a life surrendered to him.

Are we who write for the Christian marketplace preaching to the choir? No. We are upholding and strengthening our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are serving those running the race, eyes fixed on Jesus.