by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam
Often, we hear we’re to walk in obedience if we believe God has called us to write. I don’t think anyone of us would dispute that fact. In various times during our writing path, we may have self-doubt, lose confidence in our ability or wonder if we misunderstood the nudge back when we started down this road. I don’t know of any writer who hasn’t expressed these issues as troublesome at some point.
This particular year, all of the above popped through my mind off and on at some point. I’ve talked to writer friends who’ve felt the same way, too. My year has brought much to think about and a lot of extra time to pause and reflect on various changes that have come my way in my life. I’ve had to make some major changes or maybe some pivots here and there. Many changes that quite possibly should have been made anyway.
I’ve heard various comments from writerly friends of feeling lost, confused and that there’s nothing we can do. But I’d like to throw out a suggestion to that last statement. Instead of choosing to not do anything or not try, how about you do what you can do?
Great advice, right? But, like what?
As a writer, we are positioned in a perfect time to share the hope of Jesus. People have more time to read. More are searching for answers and suggestions. Like Queen Esther says in one on my favorite verses in the Bible:
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV
God has placed us where He wants us to work at building His kingdom and doesn’t owe us an explanation. We don’t have to like what’s happening, but we have the choice of what we’ll do with our situation. We can sit and pout in our chair or we can work with what we have.
I believe we are called as writers for such a time as this. This coming year—and even right now—is the perfect time for us, writing from a Christian worldview, to be sharing the good news of the gospel in every way we can in anything we write. Whether we’re writing blog posts, articles, or books, now is a great time to share truth with whoever will read our words. When we pen the words given to us from God, we can have the confidence He will put them in front of whoever He wants to see them. We need only to trust His timing.
There are so many hurting people around us due to the many changes and circumstances of this year that need encouragement and hope. As writers and believers, we have the ability to share both with them. We can write those words to be published in various sources. Those sources can be the obvious of books, blog posts and articles, but let’s not forget the handwritten notes, emails and social media posts, too. We might not be able to walk door to door and share, but we can certainly reach far and wide with our written pieces to be found by someone searching for hope. Someone may be searching for an answer to a question that you’ve written about. Another may be encouraged to push through a rough patch in their life where you’ve shared actionable steps to keep on, keeping on.
Writer friends, these next couple of weeks will be hard for so many this year. Holidays usually bring their own problems of sadness, depression, split families, loneliness and more. This year may be harder for so many reasons.
I’d like to encourage you to pick up your pens, or turn on that computer, and share the love of Christ to those around you. Don’t worry about whom the piece is for, write it. Share it where you can. Be someone who shares the gospel to toss some light in our dimly lit present world. Don’t think your single light won’t matter, it will.
Close your eyes and imagine this. You’re up in the space station and you look out of the window. You sort of see this itty-bitty candle-flame flicker—it’s one writer’s words. You look away, then glance down again and there are more little blips of light coming from all over the earth. No big deal, so you move away from the window. Your curiosity gets to you, and you have to come back to glance back down to earth. Each of those single flames representing one writer who boldly sent their words out to the world, have now blended with the other writers’ flames and covered the earth with a vibrant light from all over that huge ball.
So, you think you can’t do anything? I would say to you—do what you can with your calling. Write and share hope. Write about the One who brings Hope.
Your words matter.
Let’s chat—what would you add to the above suggestion of write to share hope. Please share below.
TWEETABLE
Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. Don't miss her recent book, LAUNCH THAT BOOK, just released in November.
Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.
As I read your post, I could hear you speaking these words. I felt His presence alongside. Indeed, our words matter Ms. Tammy. Thank you, precious sister.
ReplyDeleteThank you, JD. When you write, too, I always feel drawn closer to the Lord through your message. Look forward to those posts whenever they drop in our inboxes.
DeleteThanks for this encouragement, Tammy!
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome, Barbara!
DeleteThank you Tammy, a beautiful post. Thanks for your encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Blessings.
Deletegoodness gracious, i LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete"Write and share hope." What sweet encouragement. Thank you, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth!
DeleteThis is so, so good, Tammy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLove the space station idea, Tammy. I can see the flicker of candles growing brighter.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThanks for this powerful dose of encouragement! Bless you, fellow-writer, light-sharer!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Doris.
DeleteThank you. Will we be obedient to write? Will we trust the Lord to lead our pieces to the right people he wants to touch? God bless you Tammy.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thanks for your comments!
DeleteLove this, Tammy. Such powerful words. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement, Tammy. Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteI so related to your post and feel like I've found a sister in the world word!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement. I just released my first book- my memoir-on Amazon, but i have more words and stories that God has given me.
I also loved the comment about hand written notes. It's a nearly lost art I would love to see revived.
Thank you again!