“In ancient Celtic cultures, storytelling was considered a service to the community. But contemporary writers seldom think of their work as a gift or service” (Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose by Jill Jepson, p.28).
You need to learn to be God’s pen and let the ink flow into words dictated by Him. Only God knows the people your writing needs to reach. In fact, your writing can create community by drawing in a unique group of readers who may ultimately interact with each other.
Divine Gift, Divine Service
“When you see stories as divine gifts, you can learn to be open to them, to wait for them with patience, and to recognize them when they come . . . . Awareness that they are not ours to keep helps us to pass them to others, not just as the work of our own creativity, but as a service to the world” (ibid. p.29).
In India, bhakti yoga is a form of devotional service to God.
”Altogether, bhakti resulted in a mass of devotional literature, music, dance and art that has enriched the world and gave India renewed spiritual impetus, one eschewing unnecessary ritual and artificial social boundaries” (Wikipedia).
In Christianity, St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Theresa of Calcutta have left a legacy of selfless service.
“The Brothers of the Poor [a tertiary branch of the Franciscan Order] also serve persons with AIDS and people who ask for help regardless of their religion or their social/economic background” (Wikipedia).
Brighten the World
How can you compare writing with selfless service to the poor and socially disenfranchised? Each gift is important in its own way. If you think your writing is less important than other forms of selfless service, you don’t see it the way God sees it. God gave you the gift of writing and He renews that gift daily with fresh inspiration. Cherish your gift. Let God speak through you, live in you, and brighten the world with His words of light.
Photo Credit: Photo by Ramunas Geciauskas at Flickr Creative Commons.
Linked with Thought-Provoking Thursday.
Thank you for giving me fuel to write with!
Thank you for your kind comment, Susan. I’m glad you found the article motivating. I wish you well with your writing.
Terry recently posted..When I was the Forest
“Each gift is important in its own way.”
When we use our gifts for His glory, we complete one another in the Body of Christ.
Ashley Pichea recently posted..A Confident Heart – Chapter Nine
Thank you for your comment, Ashley. I agree.
Terry recently posted..When I was the Forest
Thanks for this post. I used to journal privately and I didn’t feel compelled to share but lately God has been moving me into blogging which is sometimes hard for me since I am a private person. It helps to think that the words He is speaking to me might be for someone else.
Alia recently posted..Let Me Be Blessed
Thank you for your comment, Alia. I’m glad you’re honoring your calling to blog. I wish you well.
Terry recently posted..Top 10 Posts of 2011 on Spring Snow Publications