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Why We Write: a blogger’s manifesto

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Why We Write

There are days we lose sight of the path, lose focus, get distracted by the lesser things that take us away from the adventure of our hearts with God. It is a struggle most days, to write here, on these spaces He’s given, isn’t it?

But we write because He gives us a message we can’t keep to ourselves. We write because we see Him better, more clearly, when we do it. We write because it is an act of obedience and an act of surrendering—even when there doesn’t seem to be a scrap of time to find between the job and the dishes and the kids and the schoolwork.

We write because forming words to His truth in our heart makes us think beyond the small space in front of us. We see deeper, our hearts expanded wide–open to imagine all the possibilities He has for these words of ours.

We write for an outcome we seldom—and may never—fully see.

And that’s hard.

But that’s okay.

We type on these screens, determined to not keep these thoughts of ours tucked away hidden, in journals, even though we could. We write for the broken and the voices that would otherwise not be heard. We write for His vision in us stretched out, a map laid flat, curling just at the edges, right before us. We write when we can’t discern what’s ahead, but we know, without doubt, that He can.

We write to claim His glory, His spirit within us. We write to remind ourselves Whose we are, and to whisper truth to sisters who sometimes forget Whose they are, too. We write to remember the light yoke that bears the weight, the arm around us, the Guide who navigates our clear way home. We are His lights upon the hill that stay lit, ablaze with hope and beginning.

We write to guide each other through the course when we grow weary and the rocks over which we stumble tempt us to give up and lay down our heads. We write because He is the one courageous, He is the one before us. He is the one on whom we lean so that when we  tire, He lifts our heads and we rise.

We rise.

We write because we believe He sees us in our fullness and we write to sing our song: we are each loud and fierce and courageous and beautiful, a wonder to behold in His name.

We write to pick up our cross and follow Him. We write united, our words blending, reaching for Him, our fingers to keyboard the muscles we use to pick up His word and fight, heart awake and stirred, ready to go where He says.

We write because we are sisters.  We write because we are friends.

We write because we are His girls who stand by His side, our words His love and encouragement and strength in His name. We write, swords up, eyes straight ahead, until our Captain says yield.

Keep going, girls. Let’s write.

Comments

  1. Oh, Jennifer, I knew your words would pour like sweet honey. I want to say, yes and yes to every word. And this, “We write for an outcome we seldom—and may never—fully see.

    And that’s hard.

    But that’s okay.”

    For Him — yes, it is okay. Love you, friend. So glad to be on this writing journey with you.

    • We are challenged to trust Him during these times when it seems hard–but it also encourages us to claim more of our identity in Him. Trusting that He will do the work in us, that He will give us words, keeps us looking to Him for strength during this adventure. Oh, how I need His strength! Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement, Michele-Lyn.

    • Hi Jesenia! I love connecting with you here! Yes, for His glory–let’s keep writing, if that is the invitation for adventure He has for us to do with Him now! I love how community around us can help us remember to seek His face and trust Him. I need that! Bless you!

  3. Amen, Jennifer! Your words are an inspiration to me to keep on keeping on…even though there are days when it just feels too hard. 🙂

  5. Thanks, Jennifer! I’m finally discovering an online community of sisters who write… and it is refreshing and encouraging. His words are sweet and bold whispers- arrows coming through my keys. I pray to penetrate Hearts and souls for Him.

  6. yes….thank you for laying it out for me there in black and white what I feel in my bones! you have a way of doing that like no other, friend. thank you.

  9. How is it that with all of your beautifully crafted words and the poetic rhythm of your heart, you leave me speechless every time? Me? Speechless. (Now that is saying something!) Love you sweet friend… and this… yes this… this IS why we write! You nailed it!

  11. I come along behind, straggling with much fear as a beginner. But your words are encouraging! I will soak myself within them! ThankyouJennifer! You are doing such a beautiful job!

    • You are not behind, Helen. We are all here, walking together, our Lord leading. I pray we keep our eyes on Him–soaking up His courage, His steadfastness, His modeling of how to keep our eyes on our Father. Together, let’s grab His hand!

  14. Thank you for the beautiful post. Pray for me. I am planning on going to the conference but need to get some jobs to get the money together. I’m not asking for anything but prayer. I believe we can move the hand of man by going to the heart of God.

  15. I am in awe, and so thankful that you write Jennifer. I am also bewildered how you write so well (I am not a writer, yet you make me want to try my hand). You express what few people express, going to the level few people want to go to. Yet you go there and you stay…..there. Your beauty shines on posts….and your beauty shines in RL. You’ve developed such a STRONG INNER BEAUTY, I believe in part from your writing. It is true that you may not see all the lives that your writing has touched. However, you will see the impact you have on people in your RL. There is just no way a person could be around you and not feel the depth of Our Fathers heart emminating from you. I have no doubt that from writing, and searching your heart in so many areas, you will have such an impactful life on everyone you come in contact with. You truly are an inspiration to me. Your beloved friend…simply in loving AWE…and happily bewildered!

    • Sweet Nikki, I am just praising God for you. What can I say? Your words leave me breathless. God’s tender heart in you blesses and blesses. Thank you. Love you. <3

  16. I needed this today. I hate self-promotion but sense that I’m supposed to keep putting these words on paper…that it’s an obedience, a lit candle I push into the darkness just one inch further. I’m going to come back to read these Aslan-breath warm words.

    • Summer, that image you paint is just amazing. Yes, keep pushing that candle forward–the light already shining bright–because the darkness cannot withstand it! Just beautiful, friend! So happy I got to connect with you here, as we urge each other on.

  17. Oh Jennifer!

    Your writing touched my heart and strengthened my soul!

    Thank you for the encouragement…I’ve been tired lately. Of writing and coming up with new thoughts. I’m so glad you reminded me of why I started. I am pinning this to my personal blog encouragement reminder board on Pinterest.

    I love this: “We write because we believe He sees us in our fullness and we write to sing our song: we are each loud and fierce and courageous and beautiful, a wonder to behold in His name.”

    Amen! Yes.

    HUGS!
    ~Leslie

    • Hi Leslie, we so need each other’s encouragement–His love through us helping each other see Him clearly–and to bolster each other’s adventure with Him. We are called to be brave, and to have faith–but it can be tiring and discouraging, I know. This post was as much for my heart, as I treasure His community and the opportunity to lean on Him–writers trusting His words in us–together. Thank you!

  18. Thanks for the encouragement, Jennifer. Most weeks I feel like giving up. I keep going, however. Thanks!

  19. This is so timely for me. The writing has been hard, my heart feels withered and dry at times. I wonder why I write? Thank you for always encouraging.

  20. Oh Jennifer, you write for the broken among us! Thank you for writing such soothing words of encouragement. Words for the weary writer, the worried writer, and the whole lot of us.

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