The Bible is God’s inspired word. Why are we not surprised that God has incredible skills as a writer?
Recently, our Writers Cafe group shared where we were at in our writing goals. As usual, our writing couldn't be separated from stories of our private lives. As I listened, I was struck by how easily we could communicate, using the stories from scripture. When speaking of a family member's situation, one explained, “God showed us she was like Moses.” We all knew exactly what she meant in the context of the situation.
The Old Testament and the Gospels overflow with examples of show-don’t-tell. Honest, no-holds-barred stories of human failings, fear and folly speak to us in ways no lecture ever could.
Why would God inspire his prophets to write about the worst of mankind? Because God isn't looking to be popular. He's looking to show us that no matter what we've done, or what's happened in our lives, we needn’t be afraid we've lost his protection.
When we find ourselves like David, betrayed, or as a betrayer, we know God is there.
When we suffer the repercussions of making a worldly choice, as Abraham did with Hagar, we know God is there.
When we find ourselves threatened, in a precarious position as Esther was, we know God is there.
When we run from his call, as Gideon and Jonah did, we know God is there.
Even lost in the depths of depression, unable to face life any longer, as Elijah was, we know God is there.
God's word tells of the worst of the human condition, yet no one was abandoned. From his heavenly heights God reached down to each of these miserable souls. In a way that was personal to their situation, he drew their eyes back to him, away from this world and back to his, to discover his glory.
And then he had someone write about it.
And then he had someone write about it.
Today is no different. The light of God's hope can penetrate the darkest circumstance, the darkest soul. And we, my writer friends, are the ones he's called to tell the story.
Dear Lord, just as did the people of old, your Word Warriors have lived, and are living stories that need to be told. As we ride the unpredictable waves of writing, may we seek you as reluctant Gideons, determined Ruths, confident Davids, broken Rahabs, and impetuous Peters, so you can manifest your glory in all we write. May your hope shine through us to a dark and hurting world. Amen.
It's been a joy to share my 14th of the month InScribe Blog spot with you this past year. I now open this spot for someone else who God is calling to do a regular or occasional guest post. Is that you? If so, contact Tracy Krauss.
Blessings on your Christmas season. May the Lord's glory shine on you and through you.
He never abandons you. I needed to read that today. God's words are always perfect!
ReplyDeleteWe will certainly miss your wit and wisdom, Bobbi! thank you for so many insightful posts, like this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this encouraging post, Bobbi. We will miss your contributions, but are thankful you are following God's leading in your life. May God continue to richly bless you and use you for His glory.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those wise words and biblical teachings that show us God is always with us. Your posts will be missed but I know that your words will be found in other places as God will continue to use you. I thank you for all your encouraging comments! God Bless you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'll miss you here. Take care and God bless. Pray you have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSo true Bobbi--the stories in the Bible are more than just stories--they are a reflection of humanity that is still the same 2000+ years later. And in all those stories, God is there and His character is revealed and that character is still the same 2000+ years later too. Seeing ourselves in those stories is good, but seeing God in those stories is better, is the best! Thanks Bobbi for getting me thinking about this. And I will miss your poignant posts.
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ReplyDeleteI needed this encouragement today, Bobbi. Thank you. With all my heart, thank you. God bless you as you continue to walk the path of the Writing Warrior.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the responses, everyone. It brings to mind something I heard recently that puts the Old Testament into perspective. He said OT stories are DEscriptive, not PREscriptive. In other words, they tell us what people were and are like, not what God condones. But as you say, Connie, in all our failings, if we focus on God, we can rise up from these holes we dig ourselves into. Onward and upward, Word Warriors!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your enlightening and encouraging posts. Thank you for the beautiful and thoughtful prayer at the end of your blog. I need this prayer near my writing station. Blessings on you and your writing. I know you will be listening to and following God's lead in your writing. Amen.
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed reading your posts, Bobbi. Blessings as you move forward with other projects. Hope you will stop by and visit us sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your posts Bobbi. I have always found them encouraging; you have a gift for taking something dark and bringing light to it. This post as usual is very meaningful to me. I often relate to various bible characters and you are so right that is because God chose to make them so real to us...they were just like we are. I like your comment that the Old Testament is a description...which would make the New Testament the prescription. Blessings as you continue to write and share your life stories with the world.
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