Your Joyful Writing is an Act of Worship!
Welcome to the What Are You Writing For? And what are you waiting for! Series © in the Confident to Write Alliance ©
“This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
May your writing be filled with JOY and an act of worship!
– Karen Lindwall-Bourg
J.O.Y. stands for
- Joy – the emotion I hope we all experience that includes delight, fulfillment, good fortune, happiness, success, even well-being.
- Jesus
- Others
- Yourself
I don’t even remember where I first learned this, but it’s a great reminder (for those of us who might see the glass half empty more than half full) to focus on and seek joy in all things. Really? Yes! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” James 1:2-4 encourages us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!“
Writing should come from a joyful heart while also recognizing His majesty and expressing worship unto God.
Joy comes from the Lord, and is His offer of inspiration to you. (Nehemiah 8:10) As you write about God‘s goodness, you cannot help but express joy. (Psalm 126:2) You write from a place of joy when you joyfully express your faith through your written words. (Psalm 100:1-2) Writing about your faith and your experiences is an opportunity to reflect this joy in every circumstance. (Remember again, Philippians 4:4)
Writing is an act of worship!
JESUS First: All your work, including writing, is ultimately done for God‘s glory. (Colossians 3:23-24) Your spoken or written words should honor God, making writing an act of worship when aligned with His will. Psalm 19:14.
Others: Writing can be a gift from God and so it becomes an act of worship when shared positively with others. (James 117)
Yourself: Your writing is part of presenting yourself as a living sacrifice when done in devotion to the Lord. (Romans 12:1) In the same way that your offering of music is an act of worship, using creativity, (especially when writing) as a form of expressing gratitude toward God is an act of worship. (Ephesians 5:19–20)
Here are 3 Tips to Help You Write with JOY:
1. Choose and post a Scripture that will encourage you to begin each writing session from a place of JOY!
2. Purpose to continually ask the Lord to help you see from His perspective more than from your own! Know that He will add joy to your words.
3. Ask a like-minded writer to read your words and offer joy-filled advice!
Let’s talk about joyfully attending to personal writing projects, focusing on seeking the Lord first, serving the people He places before us, and self-care over these next 6 weeks!
J:
The joy acrostic is also a great reminder to put Jesus first. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Seeking God first means placing Him above everything else in your life. You are called to prioritize your relationship with Him and to trust that all your needs will be taken care of.
O:
You are encouraged to love your neighbor with all your heart, soul and mind and “as yourself” in Matthew 22:36-40. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. [Another reminder to put Jesus first!] The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” You are to treat others with the care and respect that God desires; and you are to count others more important. Philippians 2:3-4, even tells us to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Y:
You are a tripartite being consisting of spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 states, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Attending these three parts/this trichotomy takes some doing; especially for us girls! This verse reminds you that He cares about your wholeness and your well-being, and so should you!
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Write/Work with us in loving and like-minded communities! Working with others can be an incredibly enlightening, encouraging, and richly equipping journey!
- Join my Cultivating Faith-filled Confidence to Write community https://www.facebook.com/groups/cultivatingfaithfilledconfidence
- Join the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs community https://www.facebook.com/groups/nacwe
Click here to find help writing “all the things“ and “everything in between“ as you serve the Lord.
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Blessed to Write with Confidence,
Karen
