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Written by Dr. Terry Chitwood

The Calling to Write

Here Comes the Sun
Your True Voices

Estatua

In his sub-chapter “Refusal of the Call (The Reluctant Hero) Christopher Vogler writes:

“This one is about fear. Often at this point the hero balks at the threshold of adventure, Refusing the Call or expressing reluctance. After all, she is facing the greatest of all fears, terror of the unknown. The hero has not yet fully committed to the journey and may still be thinking of turning back. . . . the encouragement of a Mentor – is required to get her past this turning point of fear” (The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 2nd Edition by Christopher Vogler, p. 17).

The Divine Call

One definition of calling is “a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Online). For the Christian, the divine call is a call from God. How can anyone refuse a call from God?  Rather easily, it seems.

The prophets appeared to make a habit of it (a la Jonah).   So if you refuse the call to write, just tell God you’re following the tradition of the prophets. But what if your calling from God to write is a calling to prophesy? Not in terms of prediction, but “to speak as if divinely inspired” (ibid.).

But what if God wants me to write about something stupid like what I ate for breakfast (e.g. Woody Allen’s media interview in Take the Money and Run: “I was having breakfast in the morning. I think it was two fried eggs and toast. I don’t know if it was orange juice or grapefruit… but I remember I had a juice. I don’t remember what it was. But at that time …. It was orange juice. That’s right!”  The exasperated reporter replies “Can you get to the point?”)? You mean normal blogging behavior? You do it. No matter what God wants you to write, you write it. Truly following God demands radical obedience.

I’m no Hero

Radical obedience? I’m no hero. Maybe you need to re-spell hero: O’, I’m here. Surprise! God expects you to live in the here and now. You need to only focus on one writing topic at a time. Follow God’s tracks by following His daily signs (Jungian synchronicities). God will direct your writing, minute by minute. So rather than not picking up the phone when God calls (divine caller I.D.), reluctantly pick up the phone and say, “I’m no hero (long pause for the proper effect) but I can and will follow you every day and in every way.” “And step by step You’ll lead me and I will follow You all of my days” (“Sometimes by Step” from the album The World as Best as I Remember It, Vol. 2 by Rich Mullins).

Photo Credit: Photo by SubtlePanda at Flickr Creative Commons.

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Here Comes the Sun
Your True Voices

Filed Under: Writing Tagged: blogging, calling, calling to write, Christopher Vogler, Jungian Synchronicities, Reluctant Hero, writing

Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    March 31, 2011 at 3:55 am

    I wrote about sheep today…not my words, words from church….I’m no Hero….I need help and lots of it! I share easily some times and very reluctantly others!
    Rebecca recently posted..Planting Mustard Seeds- Finally Getting it! MAYBEMy Profile

    Reply
    • Jamie ( says

      March 31, 2011 at 7:31 am

      Ha! Ha! I’m no hero either, but I write about sheep a lot! 🙂

      Reply
    • Terry says

      March 31, 2011 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you for your comment, Rebecca. Paradoxically, we are all reluctant heroes in our own life stories. You’re stronger than you think you are.
      Terry recently posted..Here Comes the SunMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Charity says

    March 31, 2011 at 4:37 am

    I’m no hero, but one of the ways I have been trying to give the Lord my writing is to at least once or twice a week ask intentionally what He would have me post about. I pray I will allow Him to take over more days.
    Charity recently posted..Making Paint- Yes Again for Try Something New ThursdayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Terry says

      March 31, 2011 at 6:18 pm

      Thank you for your comment, Charity. Excellent plan.
      Terry recently posted..Here Comes the SunMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Jamie ( says

    March 31, 2011 at 7:34 am

    I think sometimes we’re afraid to write because we don’t think it’s good. Maybe sometimes it doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be out there.

    And I suppose if you’re living a life that follows God, even writing about your breakfast is writing about HIM–since he provided it and blessed it and gave you the heart to share it.

    Reply
    • Terry says

      March 31, 2011 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you for your comment, Jamie. In reference to your statement “Maybe sometimes it doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be out there” good is a relative term. The inner critic would equate good with perfect. Treat your writing like your own child with love and compassion.
      Terry recently posted..Here Comes the SunMy Profile

      Reply

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March 24, 2011

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