by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28
Angels have a lot to teach us about writing.
For thousands of years, they waited. The angels of God saw it all—the first bite of a forbidden apple, the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the human race struggling with sin and self.
They never forgot God’s promise of a future Savior, and they did His will until at last the King left His heavenly throne, and a virgin and her betrothed found shelter in Bethlehem. With a newborn’s cry, the angels knew Hope was alive on earth, and He lay wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. Hope became reality.
If you had watched the history of the world unfold and then at last the Savior was born, what would you want to say? When it was time for the angels to host a worship service that first Christmas night, they appeared to shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, and shared a message that every generation has been entrusted with. Every generation including ours.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13-14 NKJV)
1. Glory to God in the Highest
Every time we write about life with God, we can help people to see Him a little better. We shine a spotlight on who He is and what He can do.
With our writing, we can say glory to God in the highest:
- for His unfailing love and gracious mercy,
- for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins,
- for keeping His promises, and
- for never leaving us or forsaking us.
What aspects of God’s character and goodness do you share most often in your writing? As the angels heralded the coming of the Savior into the world, we can herald how the Savior has come into our hearts and changed our lives. We can share what God’s Word says about God’s design for life and help people to know the healing, strength, and grace He brings to those who trust in Him.
2. And on Earth Peace
So much in our world can be shaken—our governments, our security, our bank accounts, our families, and our health. But even when countries go to war or a trial shakes our confidence, Jesus is still the Savior and King who brings peace to our hearts. When He’s the One ruling our hearts instead of fear, we know we belong to a kingdom which cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).
As we write, we can share how to abide in God’s peace:
- to accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord,
- to saturate our minds and hearts with Scripture,
- to kneel behind our shield of faith as we take all anxious thoughts to God in prayer, and
- to do the good we know to do no matter what’s happening around us.
3. Goodwill toward Men
Sometimes the opposite of goodwill finds its place in news outlets, but when we have a strong voice for God, we can trumpet goodwill towards all people. God’s heartbeat is love, and love is the way that the world will know we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35).
God truly does want the best for us, so we can follow Him and walk in His ways, not our own. Life with God is an adventure worth writing about.
What goodwill can we share with the world?
- In God, we find a way out of desperation and despair.
- In God, we discover a forever Friend and a faithful Father.
- From God we receive grace to handle each day’s challenges.
- With God, we can make a difference that matters in people’s lives.
4. A Timely Message
The angels had to wait for God’s perfect timing to proclaim to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest!” Now is the time to ask God what He wants us to share now and in the new year. What message needs to be shared and how? What does He want us to write about and with whom?
With every devotion, article, blog post, and book we write, we share God’s glory, peace, and goodwill. This Christmas may God wrap you up in the awe of His story and help you to know how to share it with others. May we be faithful heralds in our generation.
Which part of the angel’s message do you treasure the most—the glory of God and His plan to save the world, the peace of God that comes in a relationship with Him, or the goodwill He wants to give to each of us? Share your answer in the comments below, and Merry Christmas!
TWEETABLE
In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.COM, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, create art and make crafts with her group MY ARTSY TRIBE, and tend the garden in the morning sun. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.
Wonderful thoughts. Angels have blessed me many times and continue to guide and protect..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Craig!
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