Why do we write? Many write because it's their job, their source of income. They have deadlines to meet, time pressures. And we're envious. Some write out of their passion. But there are many of us who may be tempted to think our words on the page aren't significant because we're not disciplined enough to write that novel or persistent enough to see what we've written gets in print. So why do we write?
Here are a few reasons I've come up with:
- for our own pleasure
- for our own health
- for the enjoyment of others
- to entertain
- to tell a story
- to share an opinion
- to record history
- to right a wrong
- to make others laugh
- to give an update
- to be light in darkness
- to teach
- to leave a legacy
- for the children
- for our children
- for our families
- to comfort
- to lift up
- to encourage
- to edify
Some of those reasons may not give you a ready market, but if the impulse to write reverberates in your heart, yield to it. You can have a reading audience of one --or two, or two thousand, and still be significant. Your words might be just what others are waiting for -- evidence that they matter, that there is a God who knows their need and meets that need through someone else's words.
Bridge the gap. Fulfill your destiny. Write, even if at times it's just for your own edification. I've been surprised to find my own words written for another purpose come back home to encourage me.
~ ~ ~
From an e-mail received this morning in response to a note written to comfort: "You know how God does things. I just happened to be sitting in front of our computer when your e-mail popped up. What a glorious revelation. There is a smile on my face even now as I type this. Thank you so much for sharing it." The memorial service for this man's son was a week ago.
first published 11/07/08
