While re-reading John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life, I’m painfully convicted of wasting time, caving into fear, and thereby postponing the very meat of writing that God has called me to do. But Piper’s words invigorate my heart. They call me to account. For instance:
We waste our lives when we do not pray and think and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in all spheres of life. God created us for this: to live our lives in a way that makes Him look more like the greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that He really is.
“…magnifying God in all spheres of life…” This truth renews the passion and purpose for my writing. Not all will share my sentiments, but one day we’ll all give account for our words, even the ones we failed to write.
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Piper says: “Not to aim to show God is not love, because God is what we need most deeply. And to have all else without Him is to perish in the end.”
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on June 23, 2006 - 11:22 am
This is very beautiful and stirs my passion to write for Him. Thank you.
BTW, this morning I was doing the Song of Solomon study and here’s a thought that I think goes along with your post. In chapter two, Jesus comes bounding across the mountains to call forth his bride. She wants to come into the new adventure He has for us, but she is fearful and asks Him to catch the little foxes that are threatening her tender grapes. The commentary I read listed fear as one of those little foxes that try to interrupt our vine life (intimacy with Christ) and spoil our fruit. He went on to say how much the Lord loved being asked to deal with the little foxes of our life and how He continues to adore us even in our immaturity and struggles. What a balm to my soul. I know He is up to handling your fears and mine as we are called forth into this writing adventure.
Sending my live . . .
on June 23, 2006 - 2:03 pm
John Piper
I like what I’ve found so far in the writings of John Piper. He seems to feel that embracing the totality of God’s Word is so very important for how God meant His inspired scriptures to be received and not what a few may redefine them as.
We waste our lives when we do not pray and think and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in all spheres of life.
Prayer…operative word to opening up our thinking, our dreaming, and planning to magnifying God while doing all that we do according to His Vision Method and not one we create in our own imagination.
Hope you’re dong well, Vicki. Sending hugs.
on June 23, 2006 - 3:24 pm
This is why I choose to write for the Christian market.
I feel that my writing is a gift from God, and if I am not using it to bring glory to Him, then I shouldn’t be using it. I didn’t always get this. When I first started writing romance, I was writing secular. But God was patient and continued to work on me until I rounded that corner and made some significant changes in my life, including the way I write!
on June 24, 2006 - 9:41 am
Dear Vicki - you have piqued my interest to read John Piper - wonderful thoughts - thank you!
on June 24, 2006 - 8:06 pm
I try to put God into my writing, let Him guide me and give me the words. I find when I struggle the most is if/when I forget to pray first and ask for His help and the words He wants me to say.
on June 24, 2006 - 8:18 pm
Why yes. This truly in convicting. Do you know how many posts I have not written. They just ‘wobble’ in my head around and that weeks later they surface again, really faint at first and than…”hey girl, why didn’t your write this post in the first place” - hm, because I thought is was not that important????. Thank you so much for the reminder - I needed to visit today.
on June 27, 2006 - 2:58 pm
Paula, thanks for sharing that insight. Nice to see you here. I need help with those little foxes, that’s for sure.
Sparrow, thanks for dropping by. Enjoy your comments and thoughts. Hugs and prayers….
Cathy, thanks for sharing. I think you can glorify God whether you write for a secular OR Christian market–it’s all in how/what you write. The dark world needs light.
Island Sparrow, glad your interest was piqued. I’ve got several of Piper’s books. Try also, When You Don’t Desire God…it will enlighten and encourage you on the faith journey.
Shelley, prayer is needful, yes. Perhaps if we just stay connected to the True Vine, our words would flow with life from Him. Thanks for visiting! Your posts encourage me.
Eph8210, you’re so funny. I have thoughts that wobble around in my head, too:-) Thanks for coming by and sharing in the conviction. Blessings & hugs!