You Are a Writer
It used to be, a few decades ago, writers were only considered writers if they were published in print. This is no longer true in our digital age. There are all kinds of writers with all kinds of styles writing all kinds of things. Guess what, you are a writer!
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 ESV
You are a writer.
Words are powerful. The power of life and death is in the tongue; while writing is not speaking, it is a form of communication with which you have power. You are a writer because you write. It doesn’t matter if you write in your journal, letters to friends, long email, poetry or short stories. Writers write. You need no other accomplishments of distinctions to let you know you are a writer.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21
As a writer, you have a responsibility to use words carefully and intentionally. Once words are put out there, they are impossible to get back. Chances are if you have been writing for any length of time or even thinking about it, you know what you want to say – that is your voice.
You have a voice.
So we know you are a writer or that you want to be. You might be sitting scratching your head saying, “but Karen, I have nothing to write about.”
Yes, you do.
You have a voice. It might be the only way you can communicate your thoughts and feelings. You have a voice. It is the words that run through your mind when you are thinking about what you would have said or how you could have said something. It is the ending you rewrite for the movie you just watched. Or the way you would have liked the evening to go with your family. This is all part of your voice.
Your voice is not just a story to tell it is the way you tell the story. It is what you have to say.
You have a story to tell.
You have a story to tell. It is not just the events of your life or some tragedy you have overcome. Although your life is a great story, it is a story of weakness, strength, redemption and victory. We all have that story, but it doesn’t make it less special. You have something to say because your weakness is different than mine. Your victory came through various strengths and struggles. And your story is told in your voice, through your eyes, with your distinct way of speaking.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24
Everything you write will be unique to you because of your voice and story. We can see this best example of this is the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every one of them has a bit of a different twist on the same adventure. This is the beauty of the diversity of story which God blessed us. Truth be told, I bet there is one gospel version of the story you like best because of the way it is told.
Your story is important.
Telling your specific story is important. It is all a testament to the grace of God in your life. It is all for the glory of God.
Your story is not about you. Does it benefit you? Absolutely. It can bring great healing to get your words out of your head. It is good for your spirit and your soul. It is good for your story to be witnessed by another. The point of telling your story is always about the goodness of God in your life. It is an act of praise and worship to let others know how God has come through for you.
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11 ESV
Your story is for someone else. The things you have walked through overcome or are still struggling with are for someone else to hear. It is for you to tell and for them to learn. Your story might become the encouragement someone else needs not to give up. It might be a love letter from God to them, so they know He is listening. It might be the reader’s salvation. These are not things you may ever know or be told by another. Your responsibility is to tell your story honestly and with sincerity. The rest is up to God.
So know this as you move forward:
- You are a writer.
- You have a voice.
- You have a story to tell.
- Your story is important.
Move forward on your writing journey with confidence the world needs to hear what you have to say. It will not always be easy but it will be fun, and it will be worth it.
Blessing for New Writers
I bless you with the confidence to write your story. I bless you with picking the right words to glorify God and the work He has done in your life. I bless you with the supernatural understanding that your story is important. I bless your story with being seen by each individual that needs to hear what you have to say. I bless you with knowing that God has written your story and you are telling it.