by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2
I read
something today that made me cry.
Not because
it was sad, but because it was beautiful. One of my favorite authors and
theologians, John Piper, in two paragraphs, described God. He used a simple
word picture and everyday language. No Greek. No Hebrew. No plumbing the depths
of his vast theological training. Just a simple example connected to a profound
spiritual truth.*
And I
bawled like a baby.
I cried
because his writing put skin on God. He took God’s lofty grandeur and brought
it down to me, a very unlofty and ungrand human being. I often struggle to
grasp the magnitude of God. I wonder, how
can he love me? Why does he love me? To what extent does he love me?
In a few
short paragraphs, Piper made God so personal that I wept with love and
gratitude.
Wow.
Oh, how I
want to do that.
 |
| I want to be able to describe God so well that others are amazed. |
I want to be
able to describe God so well that others are amazed—not by the beauty of my
writing, but by the beauty of my Savior.
Father, reveal yourself to me so I can
reveal You to others.
I want to
share God so transparently that others feel my arms around their shoulders and
know I’m walking the faith path with them, not scowling down from a lofty
pinnacle.
Father, remove my fear of man and
give me a healthy fear of you. Strip me of the sin of pride that wants others
to see only the brightest parts of my life. Help me tell the Truth, the whole
Truth, and nothing but the Truth.
I want to eliminate
anything from my writing that will cause others to stumble over in their
pursuit of Jesus.
Father, help me learn the craft of
writing so well that nothing I write prevents my readers from understanding
your truth.
I want to
be so in love with God that His love splashes onto every post I write, every
article I pen, and every book I create.
Father, draw me near. Keep me close.
Guard my heart. Fill my mind.
I want to rest
so confidently in God’s care that when I hear the enemy of my soul whispering
lies, I can point to the cross and never doubt (Romans 8:32).
Father, help me say with Job,
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
I want to
love God well, point others to Him, and glorify Him with everything I do.
If this is your prayer, too, may God
hear from heaven and answer our plea.
Lord, be pleased with the work of
our hands and use it to draw others to yourself.
What are
your hopes for your writing? And what do you pray? Leave a comment below and
join the conversation.
TWEETABLE
Lori, Beautiful prayer. That is my heart. I want to pen what God has for the reader not what Cherrilynn thinks they should read. I am fearful I will not convey the message properly due to my lack of skill. I study the craft of writing daily. Thank you for this. May God bless us all as we submit to Him and yeild our words to the Master story teller.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Cherrilynn. Well said.
DeleteGreat message, Lori. It's a keeper as a reminder that encourages us who desire to share the light of Lord and the grandeur of God through prayer, writing and speaking. This post will stay in my re-read folder.
ReplyDeleteWrite on!
Thank you, Carolyn. May God's "well done" always be the prize as we run the writing faith race together. Blessings to you!
DeleteLori, your sweet spirit and smile splashed on me at the conference. I met you in line to sign in and I thought, "Now, there's someone who shines her message. I want to do that!" Great words and aspiration that I share. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun to connect with you that first day, Paula. Thanks so much for carrying your candle :)
DeleteLori, I read something today that made ME cry ... this post ... especially this phrase: "I want to be able to describe God so well that others are amazed—not by the beauty of my writing, but by the beauty of my Savior." That should be the prayer of every Christian writer. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Andrea, doesn't your heart just ache to share God with our sad, broken, hopeless world? I know it does, otherwise you wouldn't be doing what you're doing. Editors are some of the hardest working people I know, often for little money or recognition, just because they love making other writers' work shine for Him. Press on, friend!
DeleteThank you, Lori. You captured my heart's desire with this post. It came at the perfect time for me as I prepare for the Write-to-Publish conference in a couple of weeks. It is a reminder that my writing and words are in God's hands. Not mine. My message is His. He will guide my hands to say and write the words He wants others to hear, IF I allow Him to. I need to step back and hand the reigns to Him. Thanks again. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm grateful (beyond words) for words that draw me closer to Him and the reason why I write. Thank you, Lori
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Lori . . . It's soul searching!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet reminder that our words matter. I pray the Lord will bless the works of our hands, for His glory! Psalm 90:17
ReplyDelete