Sunday, January 30, 2022

Writing in the Light


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8 (HCSB).

In addition to being a writer, I’m also a photographer. And one of the earliest lessons I learned about good photography was that exposure matters. To be non-technical, for an image to work, there has to be light—and plenty of it—or the picture won’t look right. Not enough light means it’s a blurry dark mess that’s unrecognizable. No matter how much post-editing we do to an underexposed picture, it can’t be fixed. 

Contrary to that, too much light will blow out a picture—littering an otherwise beautiful image with spots of bright white that can’t be toned down. 

I’ve discovered that developing a life of writing is a lot like finding the perfect exposure for a picture. I can’t do it in the dark. The dark is a scary place, and when I’m there, my fears take root and grow. 

As a writer, trying to write in the dark means trying to compose my thoughts away from God. He’s the light-bearer for my life. His insight and illumination brightens all that I write. When I don’t spend time with Him—in prayer, Bible reading, and reflection—my words lose their shine.

The over-exposure that sometimes happens isn’t too much God in my life. There can never be enough of God—ever. But that destructive light comes when I’m spending too much time in the false light of the world. I’m exposing myself to the lies that tell me I’ll never be good enough, or keep up with the trends, or reach the people I want to reach. By bathing myself in the light of those lies, I destroy the composition I’m working toward with my words. 

Now I’m working to compose my writing life with an eye toward the amount, and type, of light around me. Join me and let God use our words to bring light to a world that is dark.

TWEETABLE

*This is an excerpt from Soul Care for Writers (Bold Vision Books 2019)

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and on Instagram.

10 comments:

  1. That's good food for thought, Edie. And applies to all our Christian life, well beyond writing. I'm thinking of my daughter's high school friends specifically; its a challenge to present the light in a way they are willing to receive.
    Thanks! :)

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    1. You’re so right, it applies to us across the park! Blessings, E

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  2. Reflecting God's light in a dark world is a wonderful message on this Sunday morning. Thank you!

    It's a great blessing to be a writer where we can carefully construct the stories we write, knowing the light is always there if we search for it with our whole heart.

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    1. Kay, that is a blessing! Thanks for stopping by, E

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  3. Edie, loved the comparison between photography and writing! This is a great read. Thanks for writing and sharing.

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    1. Diane, thanks for the encouragement! Blessings, E

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  4. I love the explanation of light versus dark using the analogies of writing and photography. I particularly liked the comment that overexposure does not mean there is too much of God in our lives, but rather refers to exposure to the destructive, false to the light of the world and the lies we believe, such as I’ll never be good enough.

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    1. I’ve been fascinated by what God has revealed to me through photography!

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  5. Great comparison between photography and writing! Thanks for sharing!

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