The writing prompt for this month
asks, “Which Scripture verses keep you nourished as you travel the writer’s
path?” There are three verses of Scripture I’m including in this post. They
speak to me as motivation for my writing. They humble me as they remind me of
my vulnerability as a man and a writer.
Writing
is Healing
Wow, to think God called me to
write. That is still so hard to believe for me. When I write I always aim at
showing hope to readers. As a Christian I live in hope. With this hope I look
to a life beyond this one. I write as a man broken, sinful and weak yet also
healed by the wounds of the Saviour. This is amazing. This is humbling.
But he was pierced
for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:55).
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:55).
I have to remember I am who I am
because of Christ. To those who are not Christians this might sound like an odd
statement. To those healed and forgiven of their sin, this is fundamental to
one’s identity and life.
Writing
is Nourishing Peace
(James 5: 13 – 16) Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them
pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you
sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them
with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And
the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise
them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be
healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
On my writing journey I need
nourishment, to feed my soul. The Bible and Sunday liturgy at church provide
food for my writing. It is food that humbles me. You see, as a Christian I am cognizant of my brokenness,
my fragility as a person. This in turn helps shape my writing, or at least I
hope it does.
Through my church community I am
cared for, prayed for and find a welcome place. Both my wife and I find a sense
of peace belonging to our church. Inner peace is a result of being part of
community of God. I am mindful that in my writing I want to bring this sense of
peace.
Writing
feeds my emotional and spiritual health.
“Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew
11: 28-29).
If the fog of depression tries to
claim me again I write down what is going on inside me. As I write in this
context I pray the words will bring a sense of healing to me. I hope it is
acceptable to say that I write for myself as well as readers.
The people who respond to my writing
are those acquainted with grief, suffering and calamities that come with being
human. They are the ones who also comment on my blog. It is like they hear my
voice in the words I write. They know I am familiar with being “weary and
burdened.” I also hope they find rest for their weary and burdened souls. This
rest binds us together.
Blog: scarredjoy.wordpress.com
Wonderfully said, Alan. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy. I appreciate you take the time to comment. :)
DeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Isn’t writing a wonderful gift? God first of all uses our writing to help us think through issues and then uses our writing to help those going through similar circumstances.
Keep sharing His hope with our world!
Hi Ruth. Writing is indeed a wonderful gift. I love it when words come together and give hope. :)
DeleteThanks, Alan, for the beautiful and comforting verses you've chosen to share with us. Like someone preparing a nourishing meal for guests, you've chosen dishes that would nourish yourself as well.
DeleteAs Christians who write, don't we write to bless others? In Proverbs 11:25, we read, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." (The Message)
Hi Sharon! Yes, I hope readers are blessed in some way with what the words say. We are in this calling together. In turn we bless each other. Thank you so much for being an encourager to me my friend.
Delete