However, I was intrigued to notice my heart straining with longing as I considered how I might weave the qualities of beauty and holiness more intentionally into my writing.
Just after learning about this month’s prompt, I happened to be reading through Job 38 and 39 for my day’s devotional. “This is what beautiful, holy writing looks like!” I murmured to myself. “Of course, it’s holy,” you may be mumbling in response, “It’s Scripture.”
Would you agree, however, that there is something extra special about the words attributed to God in those chapters?
Consider even just a couple of excerpts from God’s challenge to Job:
- Have you visited the treasuries of the snow? (38:22, NLT)As I read these chapters, my heart expands with longing. It is rather like homesickness, though a homesickness for something I’ve never experienced, a place I’ve never visited.
- Where is the home of the east wind? (38:24b, NLT)
- Can you hold back the movements of the stars? (38:31, NLT)
- Who can tilt the water jars of heaven…? (38:37b, NLT)
- Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. (39:27)
Perhaps this is what beautiful, holy writing does – it makes our hearts hurt for something more, something other, something beyond what we can pull up on our screens, pay for with a card, or otherwise instantly consume.
As I ponder all this, I feel quite inadequate to ever be capable of writing in such a way. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe the first step isn’t to go out and try my hand at it. Maybe it’s fine to simply to seek out such writing and immerse myself in it. If anyone has suggestions for books and articles that you would say exude the qualities of beauty and holiness, I would love to hear.
Blessings.
Michelle Joy Teigrob is an author, college instructor, mom of three, and wife of one. She grew up as a missionary kid in Belize, Central America, the youngest of 10 children. In addition to her twin’s death, she has since lived through the loss of two other sisters. Michelle's new book, Joyfully Star-Mapping through Life's Dung Piles, shares about her journey through her wrenching sadness. Visit www.michellejoybooks.ca to learn more.
Writing that makes my heart hurt... writing that gives a feeling of homesickness for something we've never experienced.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, these descriptions of yours capture the feelings that beautiful writing creates in my soul. I love those lines from Job, and I'm so glad you reminded us of them.
One author who creates that longing in my heart through her beautiful writing is Sarah Clarkson. She has written several books, but the one you might be most interested is "Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention" (2024).
Thank you, Michelle, for a lovely post.
Brenda, thank you so much for your encouraging words, and especially for the recommendation! I will be sure to search out this author's work.
DeleteI often find that moments of intense beauty and holiness cause an ache in my heart and tears to prick my eyes. A heavenly longing.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many lovely metaphors and word pictures in Scripture, among them your selections from Job. When my mind idles I sometimes picture God opening those storehouses of snow and wind to earth. And in Isaiah he speaks of God calling all the stars by name - what a beautiful picture of God's attention to detail.
Thank you, Michelle, for your lovely words.
Thank you for the reference to Isaiah, Lorrie. I agree that is another breath-snatching image - God bringing out the stars and calling each one by name (Isaiah 40:26).
DeleteI also love how you muse on those heavenly images by-times. I am inspired to do so as well!
Dear Michelle, the words you offer us here show beauty in writing. Every sentence beams a sunlit reflection of how words cause one's soul to sing and give thanks to God. Blessings to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Alan. Blessings to you too! Please share author or book recommendations if you're inclined.
DeleteWhat a lovely post, Michelle. Love the idea of what I would consider longing for home. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Blessings.
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