When people give a piece of their minds, they often express a partial piece of a bigger picture. Or to consider another caller on this homophone, a pastor or priest might ask at a wedding if anyone has a reason why the couple should not be married, and, if so, “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
In chaotic times where rants, rumors, and discordant reports resound against God, Christ, and the church, we might be inclined to hold our peace by severely clamping our teeth against our tongues. We might shy away, wishing we were invisible. Or we might rush in to provide our little piece of the truth as we see it instead of asking God how God sees it. But here’s the thing:
Christian poets and writers have God-given intelligence, which can be called on to search out the truth, re-search information, investigate both sides to a story, and present a full, fair-minded view.
Christian poets and writers have powers of speech and communication capable of ringing longer, louder, and truer than self-expression alone.
The Bible assures Christian poets and Christian writers that, as Christians, we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16), especially if we read the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Becoming attuned to God and in tune with our times can be complex but also simpler than it might sound. For instance, we can pray for discernment, expecting God to answer, and we can examine our minds and motives as we ask ourselves some simple questions:
Does my writing stir up people or stir readers from all cultures to accept the love, healing, forgiveness, redemption, and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Does speaking peace encourage my Christian brothers and sisters and, indeed, the whole Body of Christ to come together, eager to be at peace with one another?
In what ways can my poems, stories, devotionals, articles, and books bring reconciliation and healing to denominational or other church factions?
Do I willingly, prayerfully, and lovingly speak my piece as part of the ongoing peace of God?
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© 2011, Mary Harwell Sayler, all rights reserved.
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4 comments:
I like the thought of each of us Christian writers prayerfully and lovingly speaking our piece as part of the ongoing peace of God! Reading the Bible, praying and being inspired by the Holy Spirit are certainly important aspects for good Christian writing with a message and ministry.
Yes! Thanks, Connie. Praying for God to give us understanding as we read what God says in God's word gives Christian poets and writers new insight into Bible stories and verses - even if we've heard them since childhood. Thus inspired, our poems and writings can then help to re-New the Good News for readers.
Mary, thank you for your informative blog on Christian writers. I am a new blogger and could use some help and ideas on how to make it look better. www.mynewdiet.org.
Thanks for your encouragement, Cathy. I visited your blog and think it looks great! Your info is clear and concise, and you stay focused on your main topic - all of which are crucial traits for blogging. My only suggestion might be to consider adding a sidebar with quick tips or insights that sum up or bullet point your main points, speaking directly to your readers in second person.
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