Renewing a Writer's Mind ~ Valerie Ronald

 

A month after moving to a smaller house, I am still trying to bring order out of chaos. On the days when I seem to be loosing the battle, I escape to the backyard, a small plot of ground revealing unexpected beauty. I am refreshed by the sound of the breeze running its fingers through a windbreak of trees between our yard and a farm field. I sometimes glimpse a red squirrel or a wild rabbit in the undergrowth, or hear the flute-like whistle of a meadowlark. Above the treetops the skyscape unfurls like an ever-changing scroll, parading white cloud castles across its blue expanse. Lately, looming thunderheads crowd in, a prelude to resounding thunderclaps and torrential rain. As quickly as it comes, the storm moves on, leaving a renewed landscape with its freshly washed face lifted to the sun breaking through ragged remnants of clouds.

Observing the renewal of my backyard vista after a storm, I am reminded of God’s desire to see us transformed by the renewing of our minds. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2 NIV)   

God wants us to think as He thinks, as revealed in His Word. We can’t achieve this on our own, but only by the power of His Holy Spirit indwelling us. The transformation occurs from the inside out, as we are “cleansed by the washing with water through the Word.” (Eph. 5:26) This supernatural renewal allows us to experience the direct guidance of God in our lives, including our writing life.  

So how is the mind of a Christian writer renewed? What practices and disciplines help keep us fresh and focused on what God wants to accomplish in and through our words? Our mind gives us the ability to weigh possibilities, make decisions, analyze emotions, and determine our affections. Our will has a major part in determining which direction we choose to take in these important areas, however, the influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be underestimated. The more our lives are surrendered to the authority of God, the more of Him can shine through our writing.  

Allow God’s Word to inform your writing  

The Bible reveals God’s mind, character, purposes and plans. Consistent reading and study of His Word cleanses and conforms our thinking, resulting in increasingly pure thoughts and holy living. What we put into our mind will come out in our writing.

Preface each writing project with prayer

Prayer is essential if we are to follow the writing path God desires for us. Constant conversations with Him can result in new inspiration, themes, direction, and much more. Let Him speak to you during these sacred communications, giving you opportunity to tap into His boundless creativity.

Refresh your mind in nature   

Our minds and bodies are refreshed and renewed when we spend time in God’s beautiful creation. Going outside gives us a break, often bringing a new perspective when we return to writing. Finding inspiration in the natural world helps focus our mind on God.

  Reflect on what is good  

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8) As this verse alludes to, we can choose what we think about. Be discerning in where you put your thoughts. The world holds many enticing things to draw our minds away from God. Practicing discipline in your thought life will help you realize that God’s way is best, because there you find joy.

Just as our writing life is constantly changing, so our minds are in a state of renewal and transformation by the Spirit of God. We are on the way˗˗neither all we ought to be but also not what we once were. As I watch the sky transformed day by day from my backyard, it encourages me to trust in God’s good, pleasing and perfect will as He renews my mind daily. 

 

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.

2020 Vision: Glimpses from the Rear-View Mirror by Sandi Somers

To our writers and readers,

I’ve sometimes thought I’d like to write a blog at the end of the month, highlighting the encouragements and insights of our InScribe writers.  I’ve decided to begin on a frequent or occasional basis.

Image from istoci

My theme comes from Tracy's “2020 Vision—Clarity”, where she wrote, “with God's help I hope to move forward in 2020 with new vision for what's really important.” My focus is that often clarity comes in retrospect. Just think of how often we say, “Hindsight is 2020 vision!”

(A side note: A collective thanks to Tracy who’s been our moderator and has scheduled most daily slots with new or returning bloggers. And thanks to Brenda Leyland who filled in when Tracy was in the hospital. I especially thank Tracy for pulling out from her archives one of Connie Inglis’ Mid Week Moments, now transformed into Mid Month Moments.)

January: Our Word or Scripture for the Year.

Thank you for writing such inspiring blogs! Each day as I read your words, I said, “Yes! Yes! I relate to what you’re writing.”

I pray God will keep these words before you this year, and that you will ask yourself: “How can I see my relationships, daily experiences, life challenges, spiritual life, and my writing projects through the lens of my word or scripture of the year? How can I encourage my readers to press on and pursue God’s high calling for me (Hebrews 12:2)?”

February: How God Refreshes Us

In February, we answered the question, “How does God refresh you?” We wrote of our humanness in its many forms—fatigue, worry, health issues, bad habits and sins—and joy, I thought of how much we are subject to our human frailties. But God knows our humanness, and He “remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 NLT).  

In all your humanness, you brought in a shift in perspective, reframing your issues to see God at work refreshing you moment-by-moment, throughout the day, in critical moments and at particular life crossroads. Your diverse perspectives helped us all to stand in awe at the richness and many nuances of our Creative God.

God’s Refreshment

As you wrote of how God refreshed you, you spoke of transformative moments: through daily quiet time where God gives His words of life; through silence, and through prayer that is “the pause that refreshes”.

Several people mentioned how important music, photography, writing and other arts are to them. Just recently I read Bach’s words: “The aim and final reason of all music should be none else but the glory of God and refreshing the soul.” (That goes for our writing, too!)

Many of you found God in nature and relishing God’s creation: walking in the woods near waterfalls and among birds, and finding companionship with our animal friends.

Health brokenness was another theme. Lynn Dove, who’s shared her progress through cancer, saw God’s faithfulness in answering her prayers for health and healing.  

Others found hope and refreshment while still living in brokenness. Katie Gerke discovered “hidden treasures” in fading flowers in late summer, affirming to her that God still has a purpose in her disability. 

So many said how we need others to refresh us: a child or grandchild who shows love through their smiles and attention. Others become our fellow travellers who affirm us and pour into our lives.

Our Responses                                                                                                    

Hidden in some messages was that being refreshed means we need to do our part. Several bloggers wrote that we are transformed through a “focus shift”, a “new mindset”, thankfulness and rejoicing in hope. “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds,” Paul instructs us (Romans 12:2).

Yet others discovered refreshment in joy and beauty, in reframing the world as through the eyes of a child, or in consciously seeking daily “shining moments”. “Sometimes (these moments) surprise me,” Joy Bailey wrote. “(W)hen they happen I need to stop in my tracks and take them in…Moments of refreshment sprinkled throughout a day, a week. Strung together they form a strand of sparkle and shimmer that adorns this ordinary life.” (Joy has the perfect name for this meditation, too!)

Sharon Heagy reminded us: "Refreshment, true refreshment, is only found in Him and I need to surrender and let it pour over me like a healing, restorative balm. This will indeed take practice. To surrender the moment.” 

Our Ultimate Hope

Bruce Atchison finalized our month by reminding us that our ultimate refreshment and hope comes from being assured of our citizenship in Heaven. Jesus encourages us with His promise that He’s preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3). 

In all God does for us, I think of how He wants to make us a people who worship Him and give honour back to Him. I leave you with two inspirational songs and my prayer for us all: Faithful One, So Unchanging,  and What a Faithful God!  

 “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth"

(Hosea 6:3)