The Beatitudes for Writers by Steph Beth Nickel

As I was considering this month's prompt, the letter B, I thought about The Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

And then I thought about how they could apply specifically to us as writers.

Here are a few of my thoughts.

Poor in spirit...

As writers, we may have a way with words. Others may commend us for our effective communication skills. We may be able to make complex ideas understandable and paint beautiful word pictures.

Still, we must remember who gave us our ability to communicate, the Word Himself!

Those who mourn...

Sometimes, even the most effective communicators are at a loss for words. And there are times our words just don't seem adequate for a particular situation. Sometimes, we are weighed down by a plethora of reasons to mourn.

When we are faced with our own inadequacies and the injustices pressing in from all sides, thankfully, we have one to turn to who is never at a loss for words, one who will give us the right words at the right time, the God of All Comfort.

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...

We all know what it's like to be hungry and thirsty. But have we ever truly hungered and thirsted for righteousness? Can we pray from the depths of our spirit, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"?

As we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and grapple with our need to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the Lord will prepare us to call our readers to 1) ask God for this spiritual hunger and thirst and 2) find both satiated by a growing relationship with Him. 

The merciful...

When we begin to grasp how far short of God's righteous standards society has fallen, we may become fired up. As writers, we may be tempted to use our words to indict the unrighteousness we see all around us. And we don't have to look very far afield.

While God does call us to proclaim the truth, He also calls us to remember the mercy He has shown us and extend that same mercy to others. It takes great skill (and abundant grace) to effectively and uncompromisingly proclaim biblical truth while doing so mercifully. Undoubtedly, we need the Lord's wisdom in abundance.

The pure in heart...

A good writer never stops honing their skill. An effective communicator realizes they can always become more effective. And a wise Christian realizes they must constantly be examining the state of their heart.

As we seek to mature in our relationship with the Lord, we increasingly reflect the nature of our Saviour. Light comes to the dark corners of our heart. And when this happens, we will be better able to communicate effectively and mercifully and make a positive difference in the world.

Peacemakers...

Wars rage all around the world. And more than ever, we've come to realize that there are wars raging within friends and family members that we were completely unaware of. Maybe we even realized there is a war raging within us.

God is the most effective peacemaker ever to have existed. While there are times He brings peace to a tormented geographical location, every day He brings peace to countless hearts, minds, and spirits. Amazingly, He often does this through our words. As we find our peace in Him, we can become peacemakers as well.

Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake...

Jesus ended the beatitudes by saying those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed. Even though we may understand this intellectually, if we're being honest, persecution doesn't seem like much of a blessing. And just how does that apply to us as writers?

Even if our communication overflows with mercy and grace... Even if we seek to be peacemakers as we put pen to paper... Even if we do so humbly, admitting our own failures... None of that will matter to some people. They may use their own communication "skills" to malign and discredit us, to accuse us of all kinds of evil.

Still, immediately after Jesus taught His followers the truths of the beatitudes, He declared that His followers were the salt and light of the world.

So, despite what others may say about us, we must use our words to add "flavour" to a bland world and preserve what is right and true (like salt) and continue to light the darkness, whatever we write.

Bunches of Grapes and Sprinkles of Salt– Ramona Heikel

Reviewing the words we have sent out into the world is a great exercise, reminding us of the many ways God touches those around us through our writing. I like Marcia's image of a vineyard that bears fruit and nourishes our readers.

I have not yet had the joy of having a reader contact me to say that my writing has made their life better, and am still at the early stages of having my work published. I feel like I am "sprinkling" more than "bearing clusters of fruit". So I also like the analogy of being salt to the world, sprinkling our words over our societies. 

My words of encouragement and spiritual sustenance have been sprinkled widely, even though most of them did not pay me in dollars and cents. If I only looked at the pieces that were purchased, I would be discouraged. But I hope to encourage any of you who are starting out to consider how God is already using your words to bless his world.

Although not generally considered creative writing, I believe the letters and notes we write on a daily basis are important. Just look how many Paul wrote! I have been an avid letter writer since way back before emails and texting.  This is one of the ways I am encouraged by, and encourage, friends who don't live in my city.  We write mini-sermons to each other!  The letters that I write to the children that I sponsor build a relationship that strengthens their faith. Many of you know what I mean, as you are also sponsors. I know that the children cherish our letters, and that makes me believe they're going to cherish our words and our faith, too.

Some of my first “public” writing was letters to government officials, urging them to promote good practices in education, health and government. I also had opinion pieces published by various newspapers on the sanctity of life and Christian unity. Some of my published articles have honoured a godly woman, suggested fun Bible study activities, and shared the benefits of meeting God at a retreat. I helped people with financial concerns by providing editing services to a Christian website that clarifies God's word on money matters.

All of these little branches are having an effect in the vineyard!  I have shared in an anthology about God's faithfulness to answer prayer, and my characters have appeared in children's magazines praying, counting their blessings and thanking God for his faithfulness.  I hope that the characters in my soon-to-be-published story will inspire teenagers who make a huge mistake to trust in God, who may bring an unexpected blessing.

As a service to my church I wrote and helped perform a puppet show, and also wrote a story that was performed for the children's Christmas program, both of which taught about Jesus. It thrills me to bless the little children!  Although some short stories I've had published are not religious in nature, I have seasoned them with themes of peace-making and the value of family. In my blog posts, I try to include my Christian perspective no matter what the topic.

We can trust in God's power as he uses our words to help others to know him. I look forward to every opportunity he gives to create and sprinkle winsome words around!  He planted the vineyard, and he is the vine. Then he lets us be the branches that have the delight of giving what people want and need—nice, juicy, mouth-watering spiritual nourishment!

Posted by Ramona

www.happilywriting.com

Photo credits:

Ian Britton http://www.freefoto.com/preview/05-27-6/I-am-the-vine Free use license

HolgersFotografie https://pixabay.com/en/spices-thyme-salt-paprika-eat-627182/  Public domain