In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~John 1:1-5
It’s uncertain who actually wrote the book
of John, but I can tell one thing: he had an ear for poetry. Read the above
passage again. Do you hear it? Do you feel the rhythm? Do you see the beauty of
the author’s writing? Doesn’t it inspire you as if you are inhaling the fragrance
of Christ himself?
If you’ve been a believer for any length of
time, you know that the Word being described here is Jesus. Jesus is the Word.
He is also the author of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and the hero of history (his
story, God’s great story). In every Christian’s story, he is the central
figure. Through his life, death, and resurrection, we are inspired to follow
Him and to become like Him.
In our writing, we can inspire others to
come to know Him too. In a fictional work, we might depict the spiritual life
of a character, the movement toward God and God’s orchestration of events and
positioning of people to draw the character toward him. In non-fiction, we might
write about Christian living, important figures in Christian history, commentaries,
memoir, health, even the beauty we find in creation. We might write devotional
books. I suppose the list of topics is as broad as our imaginations.
There is a lot going on in my life that I
can’t write about right now. But I know Jesus is with me and for me. I know he
is drawing me closer into relationship with him and developing my character. I
recently attended a presentation given by Philip Yancey in which he talked
about life’s struggles and noted that life isn’t fair, that the world isn’t
working as it should. God is on the side of the sufferer, he said, and feels
our pain even more deeply than we do. He talked about how pain redeemed is more
impressive than pain removed and that God is the great Recycler of everything
we wish were not. Because we experience pain, we are able to come alongside
others to comfort them in theirs, to bring light.
Just give me Jesus, Lord. And help me to make him known.
For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com.
Amen to the words of that song, and amen to your words of life and hope in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Susan, for blessing us.
Blessings back to you.
Thank you, Wendy :)
DeleteLike you, Susan, I have always enjoyed the sound and rhythm of those words found in John 1. They are lovely to the ear as well as to the heart. Thank you for a lovely post with those wonderful last words: Just give me Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Brenda.
DeleteJ is for Jesus... how obvious and how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! ;)
DeleteThank for your message of encouragement, Susan. Pain and suffering can indeed teach about ourselves. This can also help to come alongside other people in their painful times. May God continue to give us hearts of compassion.
ReplyDeleteMay He do so indeed, Alan. I have to say, though, I'm hoping (praying) for less pain in 2024. 2023 was quite the year...
DeleteThanks for touching on several wonderful points, Susan. The Bible inspires us with beautiful language! I love some OT imagery, such as, He spreads the heavens like a tent. He collects rain in jars....And the central feature of Scripture is Jesus, who we can write about and who is with us in whatever we experience.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sandi, Jesus is certainly on every page of scripture, and He is with us too! Thank you also for sharing/reminding us of those lovely images found in His Word.
DeleteLove the words of John 1. So powerful. Thanks for this inspiring post. The road marked with suffering is indeed fodder for prose which helps others. Praying God’s hand will be upon you and His presence tangible for whatever you are facing.
ReplyDeleteA belated thank you for your prayers, Sharon. Much needed still and appreciated!
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