by Julie Zine Coleman @JulieZColeman

For any new writer, the idea of establishing a platform is daunting. Even worse, it seems to run counter to a major principle of our faith: the need to die to self. Isn’t self-promotion to the public eye the opposite of dying to self?

Yes and no. It all depends on the reason we do it.

I think of platform as an uncomfortable reality. When you meet with a prospective agent or acquisitions editor, their first question to you will likely be “Who is your audience? What are your numbers?” It’s a fair question. After all, those people who already know you are the most likely to buy your books. So in the eyes of the publisher, the more the merrier.

Conference directors and faculty assure us: building platform is a necessary part of the business. But we aren’t really promoting ourselves, are we? We are trying to get the message God has given us out there for everyone to read. It’s not about us at all. It’s about touching peoples’ lives through our writing.

Well, when you put it that way…

So we do our best to build. We get involved in social media, write newsletters, begin a blog. For most of us, that process can be uncomfortable. Even stressful. We watch the increase of clicks or followers on a post with nail-biting attention. And somewhere in the process, our perspective begins to warp. And then we give in to the temptation to compare our numbers with others’.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Whose Glory Do You Write For? by @JulieZColeman on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

The call of the flesh interferes every time.

So how can we keep it from being all about us? A good dose of reality.

When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, he was absolutely clear as to his mission. He was to announce the arrival of the Promised Messiah. When leaders questioned his identity, he answered with a prophesy that foretold John’s coming: “I am the voice of one calling out,

‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God’” (Isaiah 40:3, NASB). John was all about His purpose from the very beginning of his ministry.

Then Jesus arrived. Some of John’s disciples left John to follow Him. Soon Jesus began building an impressive following. His disciples were baptizing people just as John’s disciples had been doing. It must have seemed threatening. They were losing people! Their platform numbers were crashing!

Finally, they went to John in their concern. This new guy was taking over.

But John never deviated from what he knew. Jesus was the Messiah; He was not. Jesus was sent from heaven; John was a son of the earth. Jesus was the Son of GOD. John didn’t deserve to untie His sandals. What he knew about Jesus kept His perspective in check. His humility was not some pious act, but a recognition of reality.

John the Baptist’s example should be meaningful to Christian writers. Whatever we do, we must do it in humility. The foundation of humility is in truly knowing Christ. As we recognize Him as our source of truth and power, the idea that our success is up to us becomes repulsive. It is not about us at all. We are merely messengers for the God of the Universe. We were created for His glory.

It is exciting to receive recognition from readers and listening audiences. But we must never lose sight of our reason for writing. To put ourselves front and center is to usurp God’s rightful place. Like John the Baptist, the only one to which we should compare ourselves is Jesus, our humble and glorious king. May our every word reflect that reality. And bring Him alone the glory.

Julie Zine Coleman is an award-winning author, speaker, and member of the Pastoral Team at New Hope Chapel. She is the managing editor for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association’s devotional website, Arise Daily. Julie holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and has authored four books including Unexpected Love: God’s Heart Revealed through Jesus’ Conversations with Women and On Purpose: Understanding God’s Freedom for Women through Scripture, which was named The Golden Scrolls Book of the Year as well as The Selah Awards’ Director’s Choice. Julie and her husband have four grown children, six grandchildren, and one crazy Golden Retriever puppy.