Writing Our Life Themes by Sandi Somers

The author Philip Yancey once said that whatever his topic, he ends up writing about pain. As he reaches out to those for whom life doesn’t seem to make sense, he often discovers that the root of their pain is a problem in their relationship with God. He stated that God’s mandate and challenge to Christ followers is to represent His love to a suffering world.[i]

Image by Kasia Mosaics

While Yancy’s theme is singular and focused, my themes are multifaceted—like a mosaic. God has taken many experiences, interests and callings, and is shaping them together into a design for my ministry to others.

Some of my themes come from the crucible of life. God has taken broken pieces of my fears, worries, trauma, and weaknesses, and brought healing to many of those areas. In turn, He is giving me opportunities to offer comfort, healing and restoration from desolation, and new life through God’s power. One scripture that has become very meaningful is, “(God) comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Another theme includes seeing God, both in the ordinary and in key turning points of my faith and the faith of others. Through a touch of His gentle presence, a word to my spirit, an unusual answer to prayer, and a new discovery, God transforms those experiences into moments of grace. I’ve written a number of what I call these “Divine Touches” to encourage others to see God in their circumstances, and to develop both a deeper faith and a greater vision of Himself.

A third theme began early as an interest in missions and other peoples of the world. Teaching in Colombia and later teaching English to immigrants and refugees has given me a wider compassion for internationals. I regularly pray for my former students and sponsored children, as well as connect with internationals at the grocery store, at church, and in my neighbourhood. 

If my life themes are the mosaic tesserae (pieces) of God’s plan for me, the glue that holds them together is spending time with Him and through prayer. When I do so, the Holy Spirit infuses me to ask in faith to receive answers that are far above what I’ve asked. But He has also reminded me to always pray and not to faint where I haven’t received answers—yet (Luke 18:1).

My ultimate purpose, however, is God’s ultimate purpose for me, and that is to glorify Him. Just as brilliant light shines through finished glass mosaics, my purpose is to shine God's glory through all I do.

Image by Modern Met

While writing this blog, two major words that have come to mind are “transformation” and “reconciliation”. Christ came to reconcile us to God and is transforming us. Then God has commissioned us for the ministry of reconciling others to Himself.  (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Working on this blog has opened up deeper lines of thought, and I have much more work to do in articulating and expanding my themes and the meaning and purpose to which God is calling me. I have written more extensively on some themes than others, and now God is prompting me to explore new potentials, delve deeper into His truth and increase my passion to continue His mission for me.

Each person has a specific message—a niche in God’s continuing story of redemption. Just as God chose and appointed Jeremiah as a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5), He has uniquely positioned us in our families, our geographic location and society. He has designed our message to fit in this timeline of history—a message of hope and love to a lost and confusing world that so needs Christ.

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How has God called you to be part of His continuing story?

What redemptive themes percolate through your writing, speaking and singing ministries?

How has and is God empowering you to meet the needs of those around you and beyond? 

Note: For further reading on life themes, see some of our bloggers’ earlier discussions by Brenda Leyland, Marnie Pohlmann, Bob Jones, and Alan Anderson.

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[i] Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts? 2^nd edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 1977, 1990. Preface.

Writing from the Heart - Wendy L. Macdonald

    

I don’t remember many details from lectures and sermons I’ve heard; however, there’s one thing that always captures my attention enough for it to stay embedded in my heart and mind. But before I share that with you, let’s dig into the theme for February.

     How does my writing, blogging, and podcasting offer the hope and redemption of God? I’m a storyteller. Through fiction and memoir writing, I share the hope, healing, and comfort I’ve found in Jesus Christ. Years ago, the Lord delivered me from eating disorders; and as a result: 

My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep. 

  

     I tried—really tried—to rescue myself. But as a young adult, I turned away from my shallow faith and fell into deep darkness. If my faith had been well-rooted to begin with, I believe I wouldn’t have turned away from His Light. But turn away I did.

     I also walked through a dark decade of infertility. I know what it’s like to have hope dashed month after month, year after year. In my despair I eventually learned to trust God to comfort me and enable me to stop hiding my disappointment from Him, myself, and others.

     I’ve also recently uncovered a mystery from my past that I hope to share one day. For I received comfort and healing to believe I’m good enough under the blood of Christ despite abuse and neglect I suffered earlier in life. 

     Rescue and recovery are huge themes in my heart. And a few years ago, when I participated in a Beth Moore Bible study that centered on Isaiah 61:1, I realized afresh why this passion to preach recovery in Christ is strong in me; it’s because it’s foundational to God’s vision for us too.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

 Isaiah 61:1 KJV

     If Jesus was anointed to preach Good News to the broken, then His followers are too, as it says in Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV:

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

     In response to my from-the-heart memoir sharing, I’ve had people thank me for being honest—for being real. When we dare to write deep, it reaches readers’ hearts. Our vulnerability softens the spirit of the suffering and enables them to receive God’s healing touch at the core of their own brokenness. When we inspire others with our recovery story, they aspire to enter recovery too.

 

Our stories tells others with similar experiences they’re not alone.

    We shine His hope into their dark present when we expose our dark past. We were comforted so we’d point to the Comforter. We weren’t intended to simply stay comfortable; we are instructed to play the role of a compass directing others to the Source of healing. 

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

They won’t know if we don’t tell.

     And when we do tell a personal story, rather than just share a lecture, devotional, or sermon, it will stay with the listener for years to come. For as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, some things stick to the heart forever. 

Have you recently written about a time when God comforted you during a troubling season?

I’m nosy-to-know.  

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac