The Gift of Writing (20)
A gifted story: Catherine just wanted to tell the story about her husband’s
life after he died. His sermons were so inspiring that he was known the
world over for his splendid oratory from the pulpit. Somehow, she thought,
she should try to put to writing some of his homilies. Would God give
her the gift of writing to thus carry on his ministry? And so Catherine
compiled many of Peter’s sermons, put them in a book and wrote
an introduction - she entitled it, Mr. Jones, Meet the Master. That
was followed by A Man Called Peter. Both were best sellers. Over the
years Catherine Marshall has reached countless thousands of people with
her spiritual prose in numerous books. Her spiritual gift of writing
is now well known.
Biblical references:
1 Tim. 3:14-15 - As I write this letter to you, I hope to come
and see you soon. But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we
should
conduct ourselves in God’s household, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
John 20:30-31 - In his disciples’ presence Jesus performed
many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these
have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.
1 John 2:12-14 - I write to you, my children, because your sins
are forgiven for the sake of Christ. I write to you, fathers, because
you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young
men, because you have defeated the Evil One. I write to you, my children,
because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know
him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because
you are string; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the
Evil One.
Definition and comment:
The gift of writing: the special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain
Christians to translate Bible truths into a written form that can edify,
instruct and strengthen the community of believers. This is a gift of
creative ability that is called into use in the service of the Lord to
forward his kingdom.
Although this gift is not specifically named in New Testament gift lists,
there is little dispute that God still gives special creative abilities
for use in his work today as he did in Old Testament times. David’s
great poetic ability was a skill God used to enhance temple worship,
and his writings became timeless through the Psalms, moving literally
hundreds of generations of believers.
Man was made in the image of God, the Great Creator, and creativity is
part of that image. As men and women find outlets for their creativity,
they are fulfilled knowing what they have done is good. Music, drama,
painting, sculpting and writing all are born out of the creative instinct
God placed in humans. When these abilities are dedicated to the building
up of the church or to glorify God, there is an openness to Holy Spirit
empowerment. It is in that context that writing is being considered a
spiritual gift.
Affirm that you have this gift; questions to ask yourself:
-
In your writing have you felt inspired by God to
write a certain way?
-
Do you see your ability to write as your means
of sharing God
with others?
-
Do others see the significance of God in your
life through your writing?
-
Have others been led to a new understanding
of their own faith through your writing?
-
Do you sense a gifted
power and ease in writing that at times seems to transcend
your own capabilities?
-
Were your talents in writing evident even
at an early age?
Areas for study and personal growth:
-
Come to understand the nature of your gift and
how it appears to be utilized for best effect. Strengthen the tie
between your writing
and
your prayer life so that it becomes always an act of prayer for the
glory of God. Meditate on why you have been given this gift, and
seek to use
it in ways you believe fulfill its purpose in you.
-
Skill as a writer
comes from mastery of basic rules of grammar and punctuation
as well as learning the elements of style. Insure
that you
have mastered these essentials.
-
Establish a comfortable setting
where you can write effectively without being disturbed. Equip
yourself well for the task, and
develop an appropriate
discipline for regular exercise of your gift. Style and good
phraseology are developed and enhanced through practice.
-
Make it
a habit to read the spiritual writings of others to gain an appreciation
for the range of content being offered,
and consider
the
variety of ways you may be able to use your gift in God’s
service. Learn also to listen to verbal accounts of Christian
experiences
that they might offer inspiration for future writings.
5. Seek the heavenly guidance of the Holy Spirit when writing.
Insure that you are open to inspiration through prayer as you
gather your thoughts
and seek the best methods of expression. Develop a prayer rule
of life to support your craft.
6. Consider attending a creative or spiritual writer’s workshop,
such as the Christian Writers Conference and Workshop or the Billy
Graham School of Writing.
General ways to use the gift of writing:
-
Personally: write a family history
-
Within the church:
create worship liturgies; write newsletter articles; compose
workbooks and teaching materials (see more specific church
service opportunities in the Booklet Channels for Using the Gifts).
-
Within
the wider community: do free lance religious writing.
For reflection:
When creating we must search for a new expressiveness we have not
known before. This activity can only be performed with a high degree
of openness
to new possibilities. The need for this kind of openness is doubly
important if we wish to be the hands of Christ in our writing. The
Holy Spirit
must be able to penetrate through the thick exterior of our limited
experiences. Writing in the service of the Lord requires sufficient
discipline to
hold open the channel to God so that the Holy Spirit can move us in
appropriate directions.
The spiritual gift of writing is both a personal and public blessing.
Because the act of creation is so fulfilling, you will experience all
the excitement that arises from any creative adventure. But when you
place your writing in the service of the Lord, it takes on a public
dimension of great importance to the church. The church needs spiritual
writers
and new ways for the gospel story to be told among the people. Each
age brings with it different vernaculars, different perceptions, and
different
ways of comprehending truth. Spiritual writings expand the influence
of the church beyond its limited boundaries, while often bringing new
insights even to members within the church.
You will find writing in the service of the Lord to be a spiritual
experience as you feel a responsibility and urgency to put forth a
message that
will enhance the spiritual understanding of others and move them into
a closer relationship with their Maker. As your writing is led by the
Spirit, so you will be too. What better way to straighten any crooked
path that might lie ahead!
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