Not everything we write needs to persuade.
That’s a thought that’s been ringing in my ears lately — especially as I reflect on the kinds of books, posts, and conversations we consume. We’ve grown so used to everything being a debate or a defense: “Convince me,” “Prove it,” “Make your case.” But what if… some things aren’t supposed to win anyone over?
What if they’re just supposed to be?
đź“– A Story That Hit Me
A friend recently shared a story about a date. The guy had read a book by a Black author about systemic racism in American church history. Her takeaway? Insightful, honest, lived-in truth. His takeaway?
“It was alright, but it wasn’t very persuasive.”
Oof. The eye roll was strong — and honestly, deserved. Not everything exists to persuade. Especially not someone whose lived experience isn’t even in the same ballpark.
That story stuck with me. Because it isn’t just about one book or one guy. It’s about a pattern — this deep-seated urge to reduce everything down to whether it convinced us or not. We’re so often looking for a new argument to win or a new theory to adopt… instead of simply holding space for someone else’s truth.
🎓 What About Expertise?
For contrast: I read some phenomenal music business books recently. Written by people who’ve spent decades in the industry — touring, producing, licensing, grinding. The kind of people who didn’t need to “convince” me of their value because… the value was in their experience.
They didn’t write from a place of “Let me prove this to you.” They wrote from a place of “Here’s what I’ve learned.” I didn’t need persuasion — just ears to hear.
🤯 The Realization
Once I started noticing this pattern, I couldn’t unsee it — especially in spiritual spaces. How often have I read books that try to force agreement through conviction alone? No sources, no research. Just: “Trust me, I’m a pastor/leader/white Christian man.”
They all claimed to use the same Bible… and still landed on wildly different conclusions.
You’ll hear phrases like “The Bible is clear…” right before someone uses a passage as a hammer instead of a mirror.
Persuasive? Sure. Grounded? Rarely.
🎤 The Takeaway
There’s value in writing that doesn’t try to win you over — just invites you in.
Sometimes I write to explore, not to educate.
Sometimes I share, not to sway.
Sometimes I just want to put a thought out into the universe and see what echoes back.
Not every post needs to be a discourse.
Not every book needs to be a debate.
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