Writing Insights from Galatians
"For He Who motivated and fitted Peter and worked effectively through him for the mission to the circumcised, motivated and fitted me and worked through me also for [the mission to] the Gentiles" (Galatians 2:8 AMP).
As I was reading the above verse during my time with our Lord, five words jumped out at me: motivated, fitted, worked through, and mission. I immediately thought of writing.
Writing is a mission for those of us called by God to write. That mission is accomplished not by our own efforts but by Christ in us. It is He Who, first of all, motivates us to write, Who gives us the desire to write.
But He doesn't leave us simply with the desire to write. He motivates us to sit down at the computer screen or to pick up our pen. He motivates us through the encouragement of others. He lifts up our heads when we get discouraged.
Once we face that blank screen or that blank page, He reminds us that He has "fitted" us or equipped us to do what He has called us to do. We do not write by our own ability; we write by Christ's ability in us.
Finally, He "works through" us to accomplish His purposes through what we write. Often we do not know the impact our words will have. We do not know who will read them, whose life will be changed by them. Yet we can trust God when He says that He "works through" us.
Mission. Motivate. Fit. Work through. All acts of a loving God to us, His writers. Let us give thanks to our Heavenly Father by not making light of His amazing gift.
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Comments
I used to doubt my calling as a writer ... right up until this September. Even though God gave me encourgement along the way, I still had times of wondering if I was doing the right thing.
Then God decided to shout.
Without even asking for it, I recieved a full scholarship to Mt. Hermon, including shuttle and airfare!! A friend recommended me because she remembered I wanted to go last year but couldn't.
That email took my breath away. And I realized then that God wants me to write. He has called me and fitted me. Now He will further equip me to work it all through.
I am truly thankful and give Him all the praise and glory! I'm terribly nervous about traveling all alone across the whole country, but am so excited for the opportunity. I can't wait to see what God has in mind and I am so ready for my first look at the giant Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean!
In the meantime, please pray for me and my family. I'll be away for 7 days and I'm sure my autistic daughter will not understand where I am.
It's not until March 13th, but I'm sure the time will pass quickly. I'll have a full report when I get back.
Hi Mary Ann -
Thanks for the good word.
More times than I can count, the Lord prompted someone to drop me a note of encouragement or thank me for some tidbit I'd shared in my writing.
Just like a fireplace, sometimes the embers of our writing need a bit of stoking. It's one reason I go online and meet other writers. Supporting those of kindred spirit is also part of the ministry of writing.
Dear MaryAnn, as always your inspirational words grab hold and make me think; in adddition, I am also in awe over the truly remarkable comments made bv other musers. God Speed, Pam, what a spectacular opportunity. I am quietly patient and waiting for the Lord to speak to me in His gentle way. "Be still and know that I am God." I need to heal, first, and then I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me along.
Hi MaryAnn...
Thanks again for a great message. Like Susan, I have been surprised on many occasions to hear how my words have spoken to someone at just the right time. Needless to say, God gets the glory, but it is exciting to think that He can work through us and touch others when we least expect it. It is also awesome how God uses others to encourage me and speak words to me just when I need to hear them. I haven't written down my goals yet, but one thing I am sure of, I need to use my gifts on a more regular basis and not let unimportant things take up my time. Things always work out better when we put God first.
Oh, Pam, what a blessing! We will keep you and your family in prayer.
I think a lot of times we can doubt our calling. Maybe it's to do with whether or not we feel "worthy" to be doing this sort of work for the Lord. That is something our mutual adversary uses to his advantage, and, way too often, we fall for it. We need to stand against that and all other lies, including "but So and So is a better writer than I am," or "nobody is ever going to publish my work, anyway," or "I can't afford to take the time away from my work/family/[fill in the blank]," "so why should I write?" We need to recognize these distractions for what they are: lies to keep us from reaching people through our writing. True, we need to "walk worthy of our calling," in order to have a good witness, so that our work won't be shallow, but we still need to allow the Lord to use us as His pens (or word processors), to tell the truth as He often did, through stories.
Thanks for this timely reminder, MaryAnn. As usual, you blessed me!
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Dearest MaryAnn:
I often think of how many flames would have gone out if it hadn't been for your inspiring written and spoken words. Thank you for your continued encouragement; it's a cherished gift.