Humility

In a post I wrote on my personal blog, I described Christ’s humility as he walked this earth. Although Jesus was with God in the beginning as the earth took form, nevertheless, he became a servant of servants. Throughout his 33 years living among his creation, Jesus proved through his humility that the Greatest became the least.

In the post, I mentioned how, as followers of Christ, since we are to be Christ-like, we too, should exhibit humility.

One comment I received on that post asked if I could write about how to stay humble when you’re promoting yourself and your book. If you look at the post’s comments, you will notice a very familiar person made the request.

Writers and Promotion

As writers, promoting our books with humility is an area I know many of us wrestle with. Marketers tell us to get our books in front of as many people as possible. Anyway possible. Our platforms must have healthy numbers before publishers will take the risk of publishing our books.

I get it. Truly, I do. Still, it is painful to hear editors say they love our work, our voice, our setting…but…we don’t have a large enough platform for them to take the risk. Like I said, I get it.

So, that leads me back to the origin of this post.

How do we as Christian writers promote our work with humility? What keeps us from going over to the Dark Side of self-promotion?

We have a product, a book, we want to promote. In fact, we are encouraged to promote it. But how do we promote ourselves and our work in a God-honoring way, without being pushy and in-your-face about it?

More specifically, what does that look like in our life as we live it out?

Promoting vs. Humility

I don’t know where I first read this statement about finding the balance between promoting our work and remaining humble while doing it, but it has stuck with me for years.

It is important as believers and as writers of faith, that we understand the difference and live our lives in that balance, with humility and grace. Someone once said that humility is confidence properly placed. The confidence comes from knowing who we truly are as sons and daughters of our Father. It is properly placed when we recognize who He truly is.

Believing we and the work we do has value because of our connection to Christ releases us from all the uncertainties and false humility that keep us from doing the work we are called to do. In Christ, we are released to do God’s work, for God’s kingdom.

Then, there is this wonderful quote by famed collegiate basketball coach, John Wooden.

Talent is God given. Be humble.

Fame is man given. Be grateful.

Conceit is self-given. Be careful.

Things to Consider

As Christian writers, we write for a multitude of reasons. Number one, I believe, is we write because God put the desire to write in our hearts to begin with. He created us to be writers.

That said, I do not believe everything we write is meant for publication. There are things we write meant to be shared only with our Creator as we write with him.

We might write to shine a light on who Jesus is. Show how he works in our lives. Draw people closer to God through our words. Entertain in a way that honors God, and brings light into a very dark world without adding all the edgy stuff I’ve been told my MG and YA novels need.

If we write to glorify God and his gifting, then we should honor him by promoting our work to the best of our ability, shouldn’t we? With God’s help.

How's Your Humility?

As I asked myself and my personal blog readers, I’ll ask you. How's your humility? Not just with promoting your writing, but with your life?

Are you content to take the humblest place, not envious of the success or adulation of those around you?

Are you willing to forego the spotlight, so all the glory goes where it belongs; to Jesus?

The way I see it, marketing and promoting our work only becomes a problem when we seek personal recognition over pleasing God. Does that make sense?

Your Turn

Like Solomon said, to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. To my way of thinking, everything would include promoting our work with humility.

With every word we write and every story we tell, let us join with the writer of Psalm 115:1 and proclaim, Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

All the praise goes to Jesus, amen?

What ways have you found help you stay humble as you promote your work and yourself?

For good news from the Write2Ignite team regarding their books, check out this post.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.