I write because I cannot be silent.
And frankly, my voice doesn’t carry far enough.
We’ve all been wounded by thoughtless, heartless, self-serving words before. Words have the ability to knock the wind out of our sails. To burden our backs. To bruise our spirits. To make us want to fight.
But we mustn’t forget that words also have the power to lift our eyes heavenward. To lead our hearts Godward. To move our beautiful feet toward the masses. To trust in One Who will fight for us.
I want the words I pen–speak–sing–whisper–shout to be used for good. For God’s glory.
At the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers’ Conference this week, I was asked why I write. Again and again.
“What is your why?”
“Why has God called you to write?”
“Why are you telling this story?”
My Why is simple. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. I write to comfort others with the comfort I myself have received. I have been bewitched by lies. I have been wounded. I have had my heart wrenched in two. I have felt gut-kicking betrayal. I have wasted time on bitterness. I have been abandoned.
But I have been blessed.
Because I believe in the Mystery. I have placed my faith and hope solidly in the hands of the One Who Will Not Let Go. I am redeemed. Because of Christ.
When I stand before giants–Physical. Emotional. Immoral–God fights for me.
When I gaze into a terrifying future, I know that He has sifted every moment of it. And when the force of it rushes at me, He enables me to stand.
When I am falsely accused, I can remain silent. Christ sometimes offers vindication. Other times, He speaks to my heart and reminds me that He understands how it hurts to bear the backhanded sting of false witness. And I am reminded that knowing Him better is enough.
When I face fears, the Peace-Giver presses me close enough to hear His heart for me.
When I am reminded of my past, I remember that I have been forgiven.
When I write, my words can connect to the hearts of thousands, millions who can relate. My experiences uniquely tie me to others the world over–broken souls needing healing. Needing to hear that the pain they feel can lead them to peace in Christ.
God has equipped me–by allowing these wounds and trials and abuses into my life–to speak to the hearts of those who are intimately familiar with this pain.
He made me for this ministry. Built it into me. Every word I write that causes someone else to hope makes everything I’ve suffered and everything I will suffer worthwhile.
I write to tell others that healing is possible. The reason I exist is to point others to the hope of my Savior. Everything I do, I do for this reason.
This is WHY I write.
What about you? Whether you write or not, you have a reason for doing what you do. What is your WHY?
Loved this Bethany…keep on writing!!! I don’t write but I do know that as Christians we must be aware of everything we do, speak or write because “we may be the only bible some people ever read” – Love reading your blog!
Thanks, Sheila! (I miss you!)
Bethany, I feel like you do. I can’t help but write. To share God’s love and truth with others so they can know Him, His love, and His healing touch. It was a pleasure to meet you at Blue Ridge, and I pray that God uses you, as I’m sure He is, to bless so many hearts!
Katy, I know God speaks through your pen, as well, and I pray He’ll continue to pour strength and Truth into you for you to share with others. Great meeting you! It’s nice to know someone gets me. 🙂
Recently, I heard writing referred to as a “ministry”. I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but once I did, it was like “duh”. Yes, it’s an obvious ministry. A powerful one. Through history, books have swayed people, made them open to new perspectives that they might not otherwise have any resource to encounter.
I definitely feel writing is a vocation…a calling. Not just a job. I agree with you, Bethany. I write because I cannot be silent.