Taking the Pitch from Jesus – Denise M. Ford

On days when I wonder if this writing avocation aligns with God’s will for me, I recall a specific time when I received an affirming vision.

It happened at a Holy Spirit conference that my husband and I attended. The event encompassed a weekend that included various ways to help us listen and hear how God might be speaking to us. Participants divided into small groups to discuss the context and meaning of scripture, and to share our responses and images from visualization exercises. In one guided session we reviewed specific scriptures before pausing to become introspective about a serious situation or condition in our personal life.

At the time I needed discernment on whether or not I should attend a large writing conference. It would include an opportunity to meet with a publisher for a book proposal review. My husband sought input as he considered setting up his own company as a way to regain purposeful employment.

Just prior to this break-out session an emotionally charged worship period primed our hearts and minds for the prospect of receiving the Holy Spirit’s insight. We had raised our voices in songs of praise to express our adoration and gratitude, and in prayers of forgiveness to admit our weaknesses and fears. We now approached this contemplative activity with hopeful anticipation for what might unfold for us.

The instructor directed us to put forward our concerns and submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

My husband described the picture he received as his participation in a game of chess. He felt calmed and relieved to know that a guiding hand prompted his every action. He explained that he could see precise and specific pathways each time he pondered his next move. He knew which piece to play because the way was prepared for him. Anxiety and apprehension left him so that he didn’t wonder what might happen after his completed turn. He accepted this image as a reassurance that God would provide him with the wisdom to establish a business venture and the knowledge to access a client base.

Surprisingly I found myself in a vision where I was lined up at home plate in an old-fashioned game of kickball. This felt shocking to me because when I had played this game as a child, I would often display my lack of coordination to the amusement of others!  I would run up to the plate as the pitcher rolled the ball towards me. I would swing my leg backwards readying my foot to take the brunt of the pitch, trying to connect in a fluid motion to that barreling ball. I wanted to lift it up like a rocket for a clear take-off towards the outfield. In reality my foot would graze the flying sphere and I would usually slip while losing my balance in a weaving, wobbling motion. Sometimes I managed to sideswipe the ball as it zoomed into my vicinity, but then I would have to race to first base before a fielder threw the ball into my back. Ugh, I definitely disliked kickball. Instead of being fun, it made me feel beaten down and defeated.

But there I was in this vision, lined up and ready to attempt a kick. When I looked up to stare down the pitcher, I saw Jesus spinning the ball in his hands, tossing it up in the air; catching it and giving it a powerful whirl down the center line. That ball flew at me with an intensity that made me want to jump out of its path. Except that didn’t happen. This time I ran towards the plate and enacted a simultaneous burst of kicking power as the ball entered the plate zone. I swung my foot with precision and a finesse I didn’t know I could achieve. That ball hit my foot and my foot hit that ball. It went soaring in a beautiful upward curve that arced high above the opposing team players and travelled into the far corners of the outfield.

As I reviewed this vision, God’s answer seemed to depict that Jesus would inspire my ideas and empower my words if I brought myself to the writing desk. My doubts about whether or not I can write would be overtaken by a cataclysmic explosion of creative power. The Holy Spirit would provide the enthusiasm for me to enjoy and play a part in this writing world. If I show up to the plate, He will pitch the ideas to me!

For me this translates to the concept that the Holy Spirit illuminates my thoughts. My imagination becomes powered by His illumination. I try to prepare my heart and mind as often as I can, so I am primed for my turn at the plate. I eagerly put myself into the line-up, at my writing desk, so that I am ready to take the pitch from Jesus!

I offer this vision to you, fellow writers, for we belong to a team of scribes, who hope to illuminate and share our faith to others. May this kickball scene bless you and encourage you!

Matthew 5:14-16   The Message

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

DEVELOPING THOSE EUREKA MOMENTS by Bryan Norford

 The story of Archimedes reminds me of the evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who, suddenly overcome with the grace of God, also went through the streets asking people, “Have you  heard about grace?” Of course, the obvious response from the uninitiated was, “Grace who?”

At the outbreak of any new understanding, passion often outstrips coherence, but eventually that passion coupled with a logical proclamation will change the world. There were three occasions when I came to a new understanding of my faith, which has, over time, given me insight and direction for writing. 

The first, as a young man, I felt honour bound to defend the Bible, but suddenly realized it didn’t need me to defend it. What a relief to know the Bible would still be secure even if I failed it in some way. It has stood the test of time for two thousand years, and the Old Testament for much longer. I could relax in my faltering attempts to support it.

The second was the discovery of the difference between simplistic and simplicity. I read somewhere that simplicity results from journeying through the complexity of a subject. Only then can a subject be fully expressed in simple terms. To miss that journey risks a simplistic response to critical matters. Another reason to read widely while writing.

Finally, the most obvious, yet the most difficult to fully embrace—but which has had the most impact on my writing—is awareness of the absolute necessity of reliance on the Holy Spirit for His inspiration. Frequently, I experienced the occurrence given in Isaiah 50:4:

“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught,” 

As a result, I often arose to write in the middle of the night, and developed a habit of very early rising to ensure a clear mind to record what I believe God gave me. To leave it till later is to risk it fading in memory and impact.

This eased my deep sense of inadequacy of speaking for God. After all, as Paul said, “Who is equal to such a task?” 2 Corinthians 2:16. Strangely, the same reference in first Corinthians has an answer: “‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”

Really? We have the mind of Christ? An astonishing claim, and impossible without the insight to God’s mind from the Holy Spirit. As I age, I become increasingly aware of my sin-soiled thinking demanding the clarifying perception of God’s “foolishness” for my “wisdom.” 

I must seek the illumination of the Spirit as I read the Word, and other Christian writings. Then I need His inspiration as I write. Anything short of that is “chasing the wind,” a way to cope, not assurance of hope. I love the idea of “eureka” moments, but it is the steady development of those insights which will leave a lasting heritage.