why am I writing?

January 23, 2013 By • 24 Comments
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If I’m honest, I’ve had moments when I’ve asked myself the question.

Why am I doing this?

Why do I spend my supposed “free” time writing blog posts and designing widgets and answering comments? Because personally, I don’t monetize my blog. So it isn’t for the money.

 

What is my motive...really?

 

The answer I keep coming back to is “I’m compelled.” God led me to start it. He led me onto this blogging journey. And He leads me, inspires me, and prods me to press on — spilling out whatever He teaches in my process-of-a-life.

But with deadlines and page stats and link-ups, it’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to disregard the heart behind the blog.

I mean, yes, He leads. And yes, He inspires. And being compelled is a great place to start. But if I’m not doing it in love, then I’m missing His ultimate reward. If I’m not typing the words and praying for direction out of love for Him and love for the hearer, then in the end, it’s nothingness.

Paul tells us…

 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

God has challenged me to honestly look in the mirror. Because I want to write from the overflow of love. I don’t want to stand before Him one day and have it all disintegrate into nothingness because it lacked love. What a travesty that would be.

So in this honest looking-within, we simply ask Him to reveal our heart. And if it’s difficult to find love at the center of our words, then we ask Him to stir up His love within us. We ask for His vision of those who are listening. And we trust Him to faithfully fill.

How about you? How do you foster a heart of love for Him and for those to whom He’s called you to minister?
 

Lara

Speaker and writer, Lara Williams ministers with a passion to see God's Word affecting the moments of our daily lives as children of the King. You can find out more about her at www.LaraWilliams.org or read her blog at www.ToOverflowing.com/about.

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24 Comments • Filed Under: Being a Light, Uncategorized, Writing
  • http://susanstilwell.com/ SUSAN RINEHART STILWELL

    Timely post, Lara. I’ve been asking myself the same questions. After all, there are so many voices out there. Why another? Why MINE?

    Questions to take to the throne and ponder.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      I think it was John Piper that said that every generation needs new authors — new voices — proclaiming the same, timeless truths. Trusting Him to faithfully guide in your own writer’s journey.

      • http://ErikaDawson.com/ ERIKA DAWSON

        I was just praying about this the other day. The doubter in me cried out, “There is nothing new under the sun! ARE you calling me to this?” It is so easy to be distracted and get out of balance and I need the reminders and accountability over and over again. The temptation can be great and the enemy seeks to destroy and I must pray again and again: Lord, “reveal {my} heart” and help me to guard my heart! This blogging and balancing and living is a walk by faith, and I pray I follow faithfully. Thank you so much for these words and this reminder!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Marshall/100003787446405 ELIZABETH MARSHALL

    Beautiful…your words strike a chord with me and its a sweet gentle song. A sacred echo of my heart. I feel affirmation, confirmation and encouragement. And a tender conviction too, to stay focused on LOVE in the writing, love in the offerings of my blog. Grateful….elizabeth

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      Pretty words, Elizabeth. “Sacred echo.” Praying we are so full of His love that it can help but spill out.

  • JEN

    Sometimes I have one specific person (or sometimes a group, but one seems to work better) who I am specifically writing a blog post FOR. Like a mother who is struggling to love her defiant preschooler (a post about patience with kids), a friend who needs encouragement to try something new for her health (a post about doing triathlons!) or a friend who is struggling with fear (a post about my own fears). Now, that specific person may or may not read that post, but I find thinking about ONE person grounds me in a different and better way. Otherwise, as someone who really likes outside affirmation, I can get obsessed with the darn stats page.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      That’s great advice, Jen. I sometimes do that too — picture a person. I think Emily Freeman gave that advice at Relevant a couple of years ago. Thanks for sharing.

  • MARKEITHA CHRISTIAN

    Having witnessed you speak and hearing the passion in your words; I know the reason you do this is more than you may give yourself credit for. Honestly it’s not you, it’s the Holy Spirit working through you. The gift that breeds encouragement and an honest “realness” I have yet to encounter on anyone else’s blog! Who knows the true reason why God has us in place, but jet know He has you here!

    • MARKEITHA CHRISTIAN

      *just know :-)

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      That is very encouraging, Markeitha. Really. Thank you.

  • LINDSAY

    Couldn’t have been more timely for me to hear this. Thank you!

  • http://www.facebook.com/denedrianedean DEE DEAN

    Thank you, Lara, for this!

  • http://twitter.com/fashionatalie NATALIE

    I love this! Thank you!

  • http://thepoorganiclife.com/ KATRINA

    Wow, Lara. I could not have needed this more today. I’ve been taking a blogging break that has become everlasting simply because I’ve had a hard time remember what it was all about in the first place, but now I remember . . .Thanks.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org LARA GIBSON WILLIAMS

      How I love you sweet Katrina. And the words He gives you. I mean that. :)

  • http://twitter.com/ChateauPrairie CHATEAU PRAIRIE

    What a great post! I loved how you spoke of being “compelled”. That is how I feel too. Even when I feel panic that I have no words to share, the Lord gently speaks and then the word begin to flow. So, only one person reads (or no one) it is okay. Knowing that I have heard and obeyed. Thank you for sharing this word!

  • http://gretchenlouise.com/ GRETCHEN LOUISE

    So true. Thank you, Lara!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1467796539 ALISON FRYE

    We humbly began to blog this year to deepen our ministry’s mission:
    Cedarcreek MOMentum exists to connect moms in all seasons by encouraging and supporting them while guiding their hearts towards Christ.
    That is why we write and we cling to that!

  • http://twitter.com/CSElkins CHRISTIE ELKINS.

    Meeting you and hearing your sweet voice in person, I can almost hear you saying these words aloud to me today. Because you are so right. How is His love taking captive of our writing? He is using you today, as every day, Lara!

  • CHRIS MALKEMES

    I pray and ask for His guidance. Sometimes He gives me something and sometimes He says, “Rest and Wait”. In the resting I’m refreshed. In the waiting I’m renewed. Obedience is a beautiful thing.

  • http://annieathome.com/ ANNIE BARNETT

    Love this, Lara. Yes – let God’s love be the center and the source. Painting and the Word and good conversation often center this heart when it strays. Thank you for this.

  • DEBBIE (A MILLION SKIES)

    I just experienced this very thing – having to re-evaluate the reason I do this and whether my motives were pure or not. When you say you’re writing so the Lord can minister to your readers, you have to continually check yourself. When someone criticizes what your write or how you worded something, then you question yourself all over again. But, in the end, I think it’s good because it keeps you in check and we all need that fine-tuning now and then. Thanks for the confirmation! Blessings to you:)

  • http://fromthealtartoforever.wordpress.com/ JAQUINN

    I’ve had to be reminded – especially when it’s difficult. My reminders are rarely subtle. They are evident and I have to remember His faithfulness. His love for me. His love drives me to love. Without it, I would just be a lot of talk. Remembering, for me, is key. Remembering and thanking and praying. Regularly.

  • http://www.purposefulhomemaker.com KRISTIN

    I so appreciate this Lara and whole heatedly agree. I’m amazed at how God has worked love into my heart for complete strangers who read my words.
    This was a timely reminder for me as well. I am speaking at a moms group tomorrow and as I ask God to fill me with words I also want to remember to ask Him to fill me with love for the women I am speaking to.
    Blessings, Kristin