Ghost Writer

I am a ghost writer.  It’s scary enough to think that I’m gainfully employed after more than a decade as full-time mama, but the title has me a bit itchy.  The ‘writer’ portion of the job description is daunting, considering my background is in Finance, not English. It’s the ‘ghost’ part that really unsettles me.

ghost writer –
a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person

Another person receives credit for my work, and that’s why it’s unnerving.  I don’t mind not getting the byline; I’m worried about whether or not I’ve represented them accurately. I paint the client through content and voice.  I am the channel through which the client’s story is told, communicating their knowledge, expertise and abilities.

At the end of a project, I want to know they are pleased with my efforts and feel well-represented.  If I do my job correctly, I am unseen — virtually transparent to the readers. As such, the credited ‘author’ gets exactly that:  the credit.

The Christian life is no different.  We are all ghost writers, employed by God Himself to represent His character, work and love.  I think this is the heart of Matthew 5:16:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

If we allow Christ’s light to radiate through us, then He will receive the glory for our good works.  Some of our good deeds must be done in private (Matthew 6:3); when deeds will be seen by others, we must mindfully redirect accolades to the One who inspires and enables them.  Like a ghost writer, we should be transparent to the observer; they should see only Him in those good works.

We must tell His story faithfully, truthfully, and authentically through our own.  If we do our jobs properly, the Author will receive the glory.