The process of writing a novel is exciting but labour-intensive. When I finished the first draft of my book, I was elated ? for about five seconds. Then it dawned on me how much work was still ahead. The task of editing and revising lay before me like a long uphill climb. I knew I'd need help, so I joined a critique group.

Having my work dissected and evaluated by strangers was daunting, but it has proven to be invaluable. Others see things I missed, pointing out the errors as well as inconsistencies in the story. One of the flaws often noted is switching point of view (POV). This is easy to do when you're writing, because you, as the author, are omniscient ? you're able to see through the eyes of all of your characters at one time. But when you suddenly switch from one to another, it can be a distraction and cause confusion in the reader.

It's fun, though, to write a scene from every point of view. Doing this deepens your own understanding of what's going on in that scene. When you see, feel and hear from the perspective of one character, then rewrite the scene from the point of view of another, you are able to create a scene that is more real, with dialogue that works and body language that is significant. To write well it helps to get inside the skin of each character.

It could be said that to live well, you have to do the same. We've all heard the axiom about walking a mile in someone else's shoes. Jesus said something even more profound and more difficult. He said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12). Jesus walked more than a mile in our shoes. He lived a life as one of us; then He took all our sins upon Himself and went to the cross for us. His idea of love was to sacrifice His place in heaven to experience the pain and suffering of humanity. His idea of love was to suffer humiliation and death. How can He expect us to do the same?

He expects it because He has shown us how to do it and given us all we need to accomplish it. It is not by our own virtue that we are able to love others, not by our own will that we extend the hand of friendship to those who act like our enemies. It is in God's strength, through His righteousness, by His Spirit, that we are enabled.

When we accept the love of Christ, extended to us, it flows through us. Then and only then can we extend His grace, be His hands and feet, and love others as He loved us. It is then and only then that we can say, with Christ, "Not my will, but thine."

Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada.  Her devotional book, The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others.  To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Copyright Marcia Lee Laycock, 2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004