A Beckoning, by Natasha Erskine

In moments of great peace, I am often walking down a path toward the ocean, with fields of tall green grass rising on either side, with warm rays of sunshine shining down on my face, a cool sweet breeze blowing my hair... In these moments, God’s love speaks loudly to my heart, beckoning me towards praise, drawing me in to the mystery of a good God, more vast and majestic than the mighty ocean and the expanse of the sky.

But this life allows for many different kinds of moments where Love beckons us to listen, to see and know. There are moments of great light, and mountaintop nights as well as moments of great darkness and degrading pain. All of these moments can be characterized by grace, and they move in and out of every season of our lives.

What does God’s love say in the darkest of moments? How does it beckon?

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull that it cannot hear. (Isaiah 59:1, ESV)

In every moment, Love has the opportunity to speak. Love speaks in the glorious rays of sunshine, but also in the dark caves and pits of despair we experience along our way... I have known low moments, like when I stood over my husband’s dead body, holding the hand of the man I loved as the last bit of warmth drained from his skin. Moments like holding my daughters through weeping and fear, devastation and loss. I have sat at the bottom of a deep dark pit, surrounded by grief and despair. And still, I heard love speaking...

I might have assumed that being surrounded by darkness would naturally coincide with a separation from the love of God, despite my knowledge of Romans 8:38-39. I might have assumed that anger and guilt, fear and despair would have driven my God away, making me unlovely in His sight. Unworthy of His holy presence. And yet, in the silence of deep sorrow, Love spoke with sovereign and divine authority, fully present and engaged with the deepest part of me. In the horrendous cry of grief and unbearable pain, love spoke with the authority to heal and restore my soul. In the expression of anger and guilt, the fear of abandonment and loss, love spoke with the divine authority to claim me as His own… Beckoning me nearer.

In each and every moment, Love has an opportunity to speak. Love speaks tenderly in the darkest of places. And Love has the authority to speak into each moment, beckoning us, in all circumstances, through every experience, to know the God who reigns on High, in great glory and power, with His sceptre extended in justice and mercy, with the sovereign authority to reach into your moment and beckon you nearer... changing you into the image of his Son, honoring you with His Name, and bringing change and power to bear on your life (Graham Cook).

Are You Hungry for God? by Janis Cox

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6, NIV).

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat (Matthew 5:6, The Message).

I believe God has a plan for redemption for each of us. I believe He uses circumstances to reveal Himself.

But I know too that only when we are empty - and ready to receive - will He indwell in us.

We can write our faith stories. People will read them. They can be touched by our words. But it takes God to fill us up.

In order to be filled up with the Holy Spirit we need to ASK Jesus. (click to tweet)

Through our asking, God puts His process in motion, creating something in us that was non-existent until we asked (Oswald Chambers, December 17). 

The truth of redemption - that is what will fill us up.

It is never sharing of personal experiences that saves people, but the truth of redemption (Oswald Chambers, December 17). 

But don't stop telling your stories. They are a part of God's plan. They need to be heard so others can know to make the choice to ask, "Jesus, please fill me up."

Come to Me [Jesus] with your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young).

Prayer:

Father, no matter where we are in our faith journey, I know you have the Plan. Continue to lead and guide us, to our emptiness where we can be filled with Jesus. In His Name. AMEN

Let Mystery Do Its Work - Marcia Lee Laycock

“Let mystery do its work – encourage the listener (or reader) to participate.” Jeffery Overstreet

“Awaken the questions. Tease the mind into active thought.” – C. H. Dodd

Jesus was the master of mystery. He spoke in parables and hyperbole and metaphor. He rarely, if ever, gave a direct answer to a question. Often he answered a question with another one.

I imagine his disciples were often wandering around with quizzical looks on their faces as they tried to figure out what it was he was teaching them. And I imagine they found that very frustrating. But I’m sure, after wandering the landscape of Palestine with their teacher for three years, they came to an understanding that it was as they searched and pondered and struggled to understand, that they learned more and more about Him and His kingdom.

As writers I believe this is something we should emulate in our work. I believe, as C. H. Dodd said, that we should “awaken the questions” more than seek to provide the answers. It is when we leave our readers asking questions that they become completely engaged in our stories. They want to find the answers and it is oh so much more satisfying when they are led to discover them on their own.

Think about a book you love. What was it about those words that drew you in? The poetry of language perhaps, the lovely flow of words that seemed to sing? Or was it a deeper understanding of something that had eluded you before, the epiphany, the discovery of that which had been hidden? In most cases our favorites are books that were a blend of these things, books that made us think, made us ask questions, books that led us deeper into the mystery of life and the spiritual realm.

When our readers are caught up with the mystery of our stories they can’t let them go. The characters linger because there is a bit of a puzzle in their personality. Their motivations are deep and complex, their fears and foibles real yet still something to make the reader wonder. And then, when the mystery becomes clear, the reader understands more about the world, more about himself and more about the One who created both.

As  David Weinberger has said, "We don't need more information. We don't need better information ... We need understanding ... And understanding is not more or higher information. If you want understanding, you have to reenter the human world of stories. If you don't have a story, you don't have understanding."
 

So let’s follow Christ. Ask the questions, spin the tales, tease the mind and awaken the soul. It’s what He taught us to do. It’s what good writing is all about.

Marcia Lee Laycock writes from central Alberta Canada where she is a pastor's wife and mother of three adult daughters. She was the winner of The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone. Her second novel, A Tumbled Stone was recently short listed in the contemporary fiction category of The Word Awards.

Marcia also has two devotional books in print. Her work has been endorsed by Sigmund Brouwer, Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and Mark Buchanan.

Abundant Rain, an ebook devotional for writers can be downloaded here. Visit Marcia’s Website.  To receive Marcia's bi-weekly devotional directly to your inbox, email her. 

The Many Layers of Love by Sandi Somers

This month’s prompt, on love, is one of the broadest prompts I have ever attempted.

Love’s meanings are like a multi-layered cake. We say we love God, we love our spouses, our family members and friends. We love our cats and dogs. We love chocolate, a walk in the morning, a beautiful piece of music. We give and receive love through a touch, a smile, or through spending quality time with others. Especially we think of love in February as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.

As I thought about this prompt, a new layer of meaning emerged for me. I have a daily “morning prayer” as I begin writing. I ask God to infuse my thinking and my words. I pray that God will meet the needs of my readers and encourage them in their faith walk. Now I began praying that God through His Spirit will fill my readers with His love so that they will return His love and be able to love others more deeply. God is faithful and will answer in ways I cannot imagine.

Now over to you. Where does this month’s prompt take you? How is one of love’s layers a touchstone in your writing?