Engaging the Eyes of the Heart ~ Valerie Ronald

 

As a writer, how do you see the world? For every writer, the answer will differ, because each individual sees the world from their own unique perspective. What makes us writers is our desire to capture in words what we see, experience, think and imagine, through the lens of who we are. As writers who follow Christ, there is an underlying purpose to much of what we write. We want to communicate some aspect of Jesus Christ and His message to our readers. Whatever genre, style or audience we choose, the lens of our faith in Christ colours every word.

The apostle Paul wrote, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which God has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:18).

Paul’s prayer for believers is that their inner perception be enlightened, through “the eyes of their heart”; the whole inner person, encompassing the mind, will, and emotions. French author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, wrote, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Engaging the eyes of our heart when we write opens up depths of meaning, symbolism and metaphor beyond mere description, in order to reveal the essential.
 

To give an example, in my short story entitled “Heartwood”, I describe a scene after a storm.

“Jack tried to stay out of the way until his father passed out but could not escape all the viscous kicks and punches. By the second night of the storm, his left eye was almost sealed shut in a swollen purple bruise and every painful breath let him know he had some cracked ribs. At the first gray seep of dawn he stuffed his coat pockets with withered apples, grabbed his small hatchet and whittling knife and quietly crept from the cabin while his father slept on. The island wept in the aftermath of the storm, dripping tears from broken branches and uprooted trees, storm-swelled waves sobbing on its stony shores. Jack felt the island’s devastation with each aching breath, as if he and it were one.”

By describing the aftermath of the storm in terms of grief, I engaged my inner eye to convey the parallel heartbreak Jack felt from abuse at the hands of his father. This illustrates a seeing that goes beyond looking with physical eyes. In order to be an effective writer I must learn to pay attention with the eyes of my heart, to be present in, and open to, the seen and unseen. I aim to write in such a way that the reader has that moment of resonance, of clarity, where they recognize their own feelings and experiences in my words.

Seeing the things of the world as visible signs of inward, invisible grace takes practice. It requires a new way of seeing beyond the surface, to the hidden way of seeing with the eyes of the heart. To clarify, not all things in this cluttered, often bleak world can give our hearts insight. Yet there is much that can. If God has called you to write, then write from that place of intuition, of revelation from His Spirit, of gut reaction to the gifts of insight He gives you.

Writing what you experience through the eyes of your heart requires faith in your unique gift to express what is seen beyond the surface. It also requires surrendering preconceptions of the acceptable way to say what you see. Begin by just letting it flow onto the page, then go back and mine the treasures.

A while ago when I wanted to become more intentional in my writing life, I began to look for “shining moments” in each day to record -- those moments when my heart rose in response to some glimpse of glory. Moments as simple as tree shadows dancing on my living room wall, or geese marking a V across the autumn sky. Always these moments were followed by praise to God, a natural outflow of thanksgiving for all He created. I looked at these moments with my heart, then wrote down my impressions. As well as looking for outward shining moments, I began to recognize the inward ones, when God’s Spirit stirred some thought or truth within me, causing the eyes of my heart to widen in joy.  

My heart does not always have 20/20 vision of what God longs for me to see, yet He continues to enlarge the vista of all He has in store for this child who loves Him. I long to be a faithful recorder of what He reveals to the eyes of my heart.
 

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.”  (1 Cor. 2:9-10 NLT)  

     

         More of Valerie's work can be read on her blog:  

     https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com/

Who Am I Writing to Please? - by Tandy Balson

I have known from the beginning that many of the words I write don’t originate from me.  God guides my thoughts and forms the words that flow from my fingertips onto the page.

When I struggle with what to write it is usually because I’m trying to do it on my own.  The writer’s block is actually a self imposed barrier which makes it difficult for me to pay attention to the heavenly guidance being offered.

There have been times I’ve felt the inspiration to write on a certain topic and then been amazed at where it has led.  Since this wasn’t my plan, it must have been the one God intended.  When this happens I feel his pleasure that I was attuned to the message he wanted me to share.

I believe he gives me insight into everyday life experiences that are often taken for granted in our busy lives.  The sole purpose is for me to pass them on.  When I am obedient, it pleases him.

I understand that not all of the words I write will reach others or point them back to God.  Although this is my intention, I have no control over the final outcome.  For this reason, I need to write for an audience of one.  

Everything I write needs to be an offering to God.  When I take my meager gift and offer it back to God he is able to multiply it.  I pray that my words will be used to bring him glory but usually there is no actual confirmation that this has happened.  This is where faith and trust come in.

Then there are those incredible moments when I’m given the gift of hearing how the words have made a difference.

One of those times happened recently.  A woman approached me with a story to share.  She had been using my book as a daily reading.  (That alone blessed me!)  Her father had recently passed away and she had just read the final words he had written in his journal.  The next morning she opened my book to see those same words as the title of reading for that day.  The words that followed spoke to her so clearly that she chose to read this story at her father’s funeral.

I had tears rolling down my cheeks as she relayed this to me.  It was overwhelming to know that words I had written had impacted someone so deeply. I felt I had just received a warm embrace from God as he told me how pleased he was that I was obeying him with the writing I was doing.  

I thank God for the words he gives me and pray that my writing will always be pleasing to and glorify him.

Tandy is the author of Inspirations From the Everyday and Dragonflies, Snowdrifts & Spice Cake.  She blogs at www.timewithtandy.com

Listening to God--Janet Sketchley

As I packed for a spiritual retreat last weekend, a thought hit me: you can count on hearing God at a retreat because you’ve reduced the distractions, but it’s also because you’re listening. You’re anticipating. You expect to hear him.

Some people listen regularly. They hear from Him. Not every day, maybe, but a word here and a thought there that add up to a message. Then they obey.

And I have heard from Him at in the busyness of daily life, usually when I was desperate. But then, like on retreat, it was a one-time insight or connection.

This time, I bumped into the word “control” before even zipping my suitcase. Then, surprise: the subject was a significant theme at the retreat. And it’s been following me since I’ve come home.

I’m struck by how long a process this is. Not a one-piece insight or revelation, but a constant alertness to catch and piece together God’s message to me. He’s probably speaking like this all the time and I’m just not tuned in.

I’ve started jotting notes in a little book so I can see the emerging picture. And so I can hold myself accountable to obey what I’ve heard so far. After all, the hearing isn’t much good if it isn’t put into practice through action. God doesn’t seem to spend much time teaching us abstract concepts or theories on which to speculate. What He says, He expects us to do.

Father, teach me to walk... to listen... to always be alert for what You might say... not just in devotional times but each moment... in all circumstances. Help me not to over-spiritualize trivial things, but help me be open to what You actually say, whether through the trivial or the profound. Help me pay attention.

© Janet Sketchley, 2010
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.