by Rachel Hauck, @RachelHauck 

 A dozen years ago, I was worshipping in an old, refurbished church in Poughkeepsie, New York.

I knew the sales of the Nashville books were dismal and understood unless my next books did better, my career would be over before it got started.

I’d stumbled out of the “book” gate and had a lot of “track” to make up.

I was insecure and unsure. While I was at the end of writing Sweet Caroline, an eventual Carol Award winner, there was nothing about me or my stories that captured my publisher’s imagination.

As I worshipped in that ancient church, the Lord appeared in my mind’s eye, walking toward me as I sat on a storm-tossed sea. He dropped a burlap bag in front of me.

“These are the stories I wanted written over the years but people didn’t get around to writing them,” He said. “Reach in and take out what you want.”

As I’ve pondered this over the years, I’ve mimed reaching in and drawing out a story from the heart of Jesus.

But did He really want a story of an American girl who marries a prince? Or of a cooking show host who couldn’t cook?

Ah, this is where our partnership comes in. For Suzanna, Regina, and Corina, the heroines in my Royal Series, He wanted the story of ordinary women finding their extraordinary callings. He wanted the theme of His people being royalty, as well as being a Bride.

For Joy, my unskilled cooking show host in Dining with Joy, He wanted a theme of forgiveness and family.

He gives me ideas and themes, but I have to duke it out with my imagination, with backside-in-chair, to write the story.

I’m grateful the Spirit of God dwells in me! He’s the author of creativity.

But this burlap bag from my long-ago vision . . .  has me pondering a deeper meaning.

I’ve heard testimonies of people who’ve visited heaven and they say there are libraries and storehouses.

One friend of mine, Shawn Bolz, said he saw a room of body parts for our healing.

So I imagine asking, “God, what blank books are in heaven that You want filled? What is on your heart? How can the stories Your writers tell impact culture?”

I’ll confess, sometimes I’m jealous of our singer, musician, songwriter counterparts. Music is so powerful and far-reaching.

Cory Asbury, the songwriter of the Dove Award-winning Reckless Love, said he hasn’t written since penning that song. He’s taking his time and ruminating in the Lord before writing. Truth is, he doesn’t have to write to earn a living. Every time the song is sung in church or covered on another album, he gets a paycheck.

Novelist don’t earn money every time our books are read. We have a different approach. Our world is smaller and the rules are different. But God has a huge plan for our stories to impact culture.

Look at the power and reach of Harry Potter and 50 Shades of Grey. Does God not want our stories to impact culture, even the nations, in the same way?

This Present Darkness and The Left Behind series made a mark in the world. Francine Rivers Redeeming Love has both Christian and general market reach.

But what if each Jesus-loving, soldout, hair on fire going for Him Mach 10 writer, approached each book with “What is resounding in your heart, God? Is there a book in the burlap bag You want out there? Can I have something from heaven’s library?”

In the writing process, instead of drawing from our own souls or experiences, what if we asked the Holy Spirit to speak ideas and themes to us?

We are literally mimicking Him. Creating something out of nothing. Using words to create!

The beauty of partnering with Him is how he works within our own frame and gifting.

Not all Christian authors will be superstars. But together, as the Body of Christ, we can have a huge impact on the culture.

So lift your gaze. Ask the Lord, “What is on Your heart?” (“My tongue (words) is the pen of a ready writer.”Psalm 45:1b NIV. )