The Resource of Shimmering Images by Sandi Somers

Writers occasionally talk about where we get ideas and inspiration for our writing, but we don’t usually think of them as being a writing resource. Yet they are!

Inspiring ideas are so important that the writer Lisa Dale Norton called them “shimmering images”. She explains:

“A shimmering image is one of those memory pictures you’ve had for years.” It is “a memory that rises in your consciousness like a photograph pulsing with meaning ….You have thousands of these images inside yourself.” They stay with you. You can’t get them out of your mind. “They have energy….these images flitting into consciousness are stories waiting to happen.”[i]

Let’s unpack “shimmering images” and their implications for our writing.

Shimmering images can spring from all five senses

While the idea of “images” brings to mind the sense of sight, they’re also driven by the other senses. The aroma of baking bread reminds me of coming home from school with the house filled the delicious fragrance of my mom’s baking that day, and I couldn’t wait to bite into a piece and taste it. I love the feel of the sun’s warmth on my face as I step outside on a warm April morning. I can be absorbed in my thoughts, but when a bird sings, my attention is immediately drawn to the sound of its melody. Yet these experiences are almost always accompanied by sight.

Shimmering moments take us back to the context of our experience

We see our younger selves as we were then, where we were, and the mystery that surrounded us. For example, in a spiritually transformative event in Colombia, I was debating: should I go home to Canada and stay? or should I go home for a break and return to Colombia to engage in wider mission work? I remember where I was in the missionary guest house, sitting on a rocking chair, feeling the overhead fan blow cooling breezes onto me, and hearing the parrot announce, “Tobito! To-BI-to!” as Tobito the cat strolled into his line of vision. I recalled the sacred silence that followed, and knew my place was back in Canada. It was a powerful moment.

Shimmering images can even occur in an unexpected thought

I think of Tolkien. As a professor in Oxford University, he was marking student papers, and out of nowhere popped the thought that went something like this—“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” He said he had no idea where the idea came from, nor what a hobbit was, nor what he’d do with it. However, the image went on to become a major driving force for writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Shimmering images can arise from all areas of life

Everyday events, from ordinary to breathtaking, become charged with significance. My years growing up in rural Alberta, my hobbies such as reading, gardening, skiing in winter, quilting, and bird watching have all inspired shimmering images.

Farther afield, I lived in Colombia, travelled to other countries, and taught English to immigrants and refugees from 130 countries. Not only have I grown in understanding of many people, their customs, and beliefs, these experiences have given me a wider world view and new shimmering images that energize my writing.

Shimmering images have great emotional impact

It has been said that we remember significant moments because of their emotional impacts. Something startles us, makes us laugh, gives us joy or awe. Or we remember our hurts, a difficult relationship, our rise of anger when we see injustice. All these emotional impacts give shimmering images their power, and according to Norton, are the source of our most potent stories.

Shimmering images can lead to universal themes that touch the hearts of our readers

Our stories can become effective bridges between us and our readers. Readers may not experience the same situations we write about. But larger themes leap off the page and embed themselves into their lives—themes such as hope, forgiveness, healing, growth in our relationship with the Lord, answers to prayer, and more.

And that is why we write. From the heart of shimmering images to the greater themes that touch people’s lives, the Lord asks us to be His co-writers, sharing His greater story. “Go…and tell (others) what great things the Lord has done for you…” Jesus said (Mark 5:19).

In this way we share His love and redemption to a world that so desperately needs Him.

Sandi Somers’ writing passion is to help readers grow their faith in Jesus, including their vision of what God wants them to be and do. She writes in several genres—devotionals, personal essays, and Biblical fiction. Sandi lives in Calgary, Alberta, the delightful city between the Rocky Mountains and the Prairies.

[i] Lisa Dale Norton, (Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir, New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2008), 28-29.

Image by Yuri_B by Pixabay

Christmas Music: The Mystery and the Miracles by Sandi Somers

Besides other forms of worship, music has…been ordered by God’s Spirit.

~J.S. Bach~

 

Wise Ones Still Seek Him

Several years ago at our church Christmas concert, a male trio sang, “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” As their beautiful, reverent voices rang out, the chorus left an indelible impression on me (even though I preferred gender-inclusive language—“Wise Ones Still Seek Him”.)

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Wise men still seek Him today

His light still shines to point them to the way

Though fools have said in their heart there is no God

Wise men still seek Him today

 

(You can watch two different versions of the song: the CBC choir.  Or Paul Overstreet’s solo.)

 The best message of the song to me comes from the Wise Men themselves. Who were these men? They were astronomers or astrologers--scientists. They must have been intelligent and highly educated. Perhaps they were wealthy.

 How did they know what the star was telling them, that towards the west, a King was to be born? Scripture tells us nothing except that they were from the East. It has been speculated that the Jewish Daniel in Chaldea (modern-day Iran) had passed down Scripture in some way to the general population. However, the Bible doesn’t give us this information, only that THE MEN KNEW!

Today, God speaks to people in ways they understand, often through their God-given interests. We may not know how God touches a person's life for them to seek Him. But these wise men show us that God was seeking them first. God pursues us, planning “to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10).

These were Gentile men outside of God's first chosen people, the Jews. But God chose them to symbolize how, in a few years, He would open His arms wide to the Gentile world. In the same way today, God reaches out to those who might feel unworthy, who know they have done terrible things, who have made choices they regret.  No matter how we may feel out of God's grace, have made wrong life choices, or turned away from Him, God still extends His love and forgiveness to us.

 The wise men responded to God’s direction to seek Jesus. Theirs was a long journey across the desert, perhaps riding on uncomfortable camels through the heat of the day and tenting in the coldness of the night. Their route took them on a detour to Jerusalem to inquire of King Herod and the Jewish spiritual leaders.

 When they found the baby who would one day be King, they rejoiced. These intelligent, wise leaders bowed down in a gesture that indicated this baby was more esteemed than they. They worshipped Him. They offered Him valuable gifts.

 

 Gold (a treasured and prestigious metal) symbolized Jesus’ Kingship

 Frankincense (an aromatic resin from a tree) symbolized  Jesus’ priestly role

    Myrrh (a tree oil that refreshes, energizes and brings calm) prefigured Jesus’ death and resurrection

 When we come to Jesus, we acknowledge Him, honour and praise Him as our King and Great High Priest who intercedes for us, and we receive new life through His substitutionary death and resurrection.  

 One of the most meaningful lessons for me was how the wise men listened to the Lord. They did not tell King Herod about this new king and their life-changing experience. Instead, God sent them on a different route back to their home.

 When we encounter the living Christ, our lives often lead us in a change of direction. We leave and go another way from the way we came. Our lives have been transformed, and Jesus tells us to, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you" (Luke 8:39)

This Christmas as you hear and sing Christmas carols and attend concerts (if Covid restrictions permit concerts), may you focus on Jesus whom we are celebrating, honouring and worshipping. May you find hope, faith, joy, and peace in Christ, our sinless, pure Saviour.

~ ~ ~

 As you think of this month’s blog themes, we have two possible invitations for you.

Image by My All for Jesus

What is your favorite Christmas song? How has it become your favourite? How has the song impacted you? Research its history as to how/why it was written and composed. What insights has it given you about the meaning of Jesus’ coming? (Bob Jones gave us a great introduction in last December’s post: “Mary Did You Know?”, as did Cara Jantzen in "It's All About You, Jesus." and others.)  

 Think of special memories of singing in a cantata or chorale, music you played for Christmas, music from your family, or any other Christmas music idea that resonates with you. Include how that music has impacted you and what message it leaves for your readers.

 

PS: As we finish writing InScribe blog posts for this year, I thank you for your contributions, as bloggers, commenters , and readers. Tracy Krauss wrote in her annual report that this year’s writing has been of the highest quality. Thank you for your wisdom, the way God is leading you, and how your writing is impacting your life and the lives of others.