“During my intense grieving moments,” writes Dana Goodman, “other people’s stories gave me words to describe the ache that was indescribable. They gave me hope that a new day would dawn, and I would not be stuck in the black forever.”
Hope.
“Sharing hope truly is the heart of this writing business,” writes Mick Silva. “Words are like packaging. They’re pretty or flashy or sad or boring. And while everyone appreciates good packaging, ultimately it’s the hope inside them that matters…. We each have to ask…whether we want to share hope or not.”
Read that again. “We each have to ask…whether we want to share hope or not.” That zings, doesn’t it?
The Bible tells us to comfort others
with the comfort we’ve received from God.
(2 Corinthians 1:4)
Your memoir can do that.
That means writing your memoir is not a hobby, it’s a ministry.
Eugene Peterson suggests the church should ordain writers in the way they ordain pastors.
“There are never enough storytellers,” he says. “There are a lot of people who want to write stories but they don’t want to go through the discipline, the agony, the immersion in life it requires…. I think writing is one of the sacred callings. I wish, in fact, that the church would ordain writers the way they ordain pastors….”
Is that a new thought to you?
If so, make time to ask yourself these questions:
How different would your writing be if you viewed yourself as ordained to tell your story?
Can you—will you—consider yourself ordained to tell your story?
Let’s take a minute to ponder: What does it mean to be ordained?
It means to be approved, authorized, appointed, anointed, selected, and chosen.
It means to be commissioned, empowered, assigned, entrusted, and consecrated. And cleared to go.
Last Thursday I asked, “If your scars could talk, what stories would they tell?”
Have you thought about that question in the past few days?
Maybe something or someone maimed you, left you blemished, flawed, maybe even deformed—maybe in little ways, maybe in massive ways. Perhaps they left you broken, immobilized. Some scars are visible, some are hidden inside.
But remember: A scar is evidence of healing.
How did God transform your wounds into scars?
Who and what did God use to bring healing?
As a result of your experience, what hope can you pass on to others?
Are you now super-inspired to write your story? Please say Yes!
Believe God has
approved, authorized, appointed you.
He has anointed, selected, and chosen you.
Believe God has
commissioned, empowered, assigned you.
He has entrusted, and consecrated you
to carry out our key verses:
Always remember, and never forget,
what you’ve seen God do for you,
and be sure to tell your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9
Jesus said, “Go tell your family everything
God has done for you.”
Luke 8:39
Like Kellie McGann said, “Hope is the answer your readers are searching for…. Tell them they’re not alone in their dark night of the soul.”
“…Writing your story is the only way
to truly express what God did.
And you can’t believe just how remarkable he is
until you step back and see it for yourself.”
Mick Silva, Higher Purpose Writers
Your story can change a life.
Someone needs the hope you can offer.
So hear this:
You know what you’ve been commissioned to do,
and you—you—are cleared to go.
I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but my comments don’t seem to “stick”. Anyway, just wanted to say (again!) that I appreciated this post.
ReplyDeleteWell, HI, Linda Hoye! Sorry the comments function didn't work for you -- but at least it finally did. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comment. I appreciate you and your varied ministries. You're using the skills and passions God has placed in your heart.
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