One of my characters in the novel I’m working on is a young man, an American but raised much of his life in other cultures. He wishes only to remain in the United States all of his life, to write screen plays about the country which so fascinates him. “I’m not American the way you and the others are,” he says. “I know it as an observer.”

He sees himself as an observer of his native culture, not only because he is a cultural nomad himself but because he is a writer. I believe many writers, including myself, see themselves as observers rather than activists.

I sometimes feel guilty because of my introverted nature which flees, not only from conflict, but from normal actions which call attention to myself. I would rather write an essay encouraging reconciliation between different factions than join a protest for either one. The truth is, I often understand both groups and wish I could explain them to each other.

So I write as a minority in competing groups. I began my Christian journey at the age of nine and am kept on that journey by God’s grace. Nevertheless, at times I seem an exile from both “Christian” America and from secular America. I trace the journey with my characters as they find a way to live the subversive Christian life. I play interpreter. In my more optimistic moments I dare hope to be a reconciler.