The Joy of Writing - by Jo-Anne Berthelsen

Recently, I welcomed my eleventh book into the world – God Moments: 101 little lessons for life’s journey, published by Authentic Media UK, Grounded in Scripture and grouped under various headings such as ‘On God’s Love and Grace’, ‘On Connecting with God’ and ‘On Loving and Serving Others’, each brief devotional this volume contains encourages us, in the midst of the ordinary events of our lives, to open our hearts to our extraordinary God. Of course, this is an especially joyful time for me as I share these reflections based on some of the hundreds of weekly blogs I have written over many years more widely. But the joy I find in writing in general is even wider and deeper. It is ongoing, ever-changing, at times surprising – and truly life-giving.

I am often asked why I still keep writing, after over twenty years of focusing much of my energy in this area. All I know is that, when I am not writing, I feel something is missing. I may take an occasional break, but then those ideas begin to flow again and I feel the urge to express them in some way that will hopefully connect with others, enrich their lives and draw them closer to God. Of course, the things I desire to write about and that I feel God wants me to share may change over the years. I have loved writing each of my seven novels, for example, but, right now, I am not working on another one. That may change in the future, but, in more recent times, I have felt God urging me to write my four non-fiction books instead, sharing insights and experiences God has graciously given me over many years. At this point, I cannot envisage a time when I will give up writing my weekly blogs and linking them to Facebook each Tuesday. No doubt, that day will come, but in the meantime, I keep writing – and keep listening to God’s promptings for what I am to write next.

When I am writing, it seems to me that I am somehow being filled up inside. I feel as if I am being all I can be for God in that moment, as if God truly wants me to get those words out there in some form to share with others. Yes, some days I can become stuck as to what direction to go in whatever I am writing. At times, I may even end up throwing out much of what I have laboured over. But, even in that, there is a sense of satisfaction and deep fulfilment that I am crafting something others may appreciate and that, as I persevere, what I write will become even better. It is as if I am partnering with God in it all as I let that creativity flow – and that truly can be a joyous experience.

It is a special joy when the words we have woven together are published in some form. Yet, whether this happens when and how we envisage or not, there is still deep joy to be found in the whole process, I believe. May this truly be your experience as writers too as you continue to create those special works God has inspired you to create and hopefully share with others.

Jo-Anne Berthelsen is a Sydney-based author of seven novels and four non-fiction works. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked in teaching, editing and local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word and is a keen blogger. Jo-Anne’s latest book, God Moments, is available via her website, Koorong Books and Amazon.

 

Soothing Raw Nerves

Earlier today my youngest boy decided he would attempt to ride my husband's bike; needless to say, things didn't work the way he planned and he ended up squished under several kilo's of bike frame, tyres and greasy chains.

I performed my motherly duties - cleaned the cuts, wiped away tears, soothed with ice cream and sprinkles - and carried on with the day's tasks. Before long he was giggling and laughing; that's when I noticed it. The second tooth along the bottom of his sweet little jaw-line was no longer cute and square-shaped, but had been broken, making it sharp and fang-like! As I made closer inspection of the injury I realised - due to the tiny red dot I could see in the centre - that the break had indeed exposed the tooth's nerve.

Thankfully for my little shark-boy it doesn't seem to be causing him any pain and can be treated with a simple dab of fluoride toothpaste; often this is not the case. Leaving raw nerves exposed can cause sudden flares of intense pain. We then start to avoid using the injured body part out of fear, becoming less able to function in the process. To become free of this cycle we need to treat the cause - the raw nerve.

And isn't this just so much like life? We decide to give something a try and it doesn't come off; buying a house, a career change, just getting through each day is a challenge for many of us. Quite often we end up like my boy, squashed under a mountain of hurt, rejection, failure and many other things; sometimes the crash is minor and we get up and brush ourselves off, but at other times it damages us and exposes a nerve or two. We begin to avoid the things that make us hurt; taking risks, daring to try again, anything that would bring on the pain.

I am convinced that God has more for us than a life lived cowering behind the raw nerves of our souls. And I believe that he will use us - unashamed Christians who write from the perspective that God loves each individual in this world - to share the very best balm of soul-healing to all who read our words.

We read in Proverbs 16:24,

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (NIV)

What an absolute blessing it is to be appointed a writer for God! And in a world that is full of lies, deception and false hope, his Word of truth is needed all the more. 

Be encouraged today as you write; trust that God will use the talents he has chosen to give to you to bring his supernatural healing to someone . . . somewhere . . . somehow.

Blessings,

Helen

Behind the Words on a Page

Would-be writers are told ‘write what you know. Write what you like to read the most!’
Great advice. As I reflected upon it however, I felt short-changed.

I know a lot of things to varying degrees. Life has given me some interesting experiences. When wrapped up in God’s grace and intervention there is some story telling merit to be found in them.

When I first began to write I had some hard lessons to learn! I liked to read westerns and war stories. Could I write them? No! I hadn’t experienced what I like to read. That was depressive.

Life took a dramatic turn when the Lord Jesus stepped on my toes and my heart opened to His presence. I loved His Word. Now, I’m far from being a scholar or theologian but I wanted to share my Lord and His teachings. But how? Not being a novelist and being ignorant of Point of View and unimaginative in dialogue there was no best seller poised on my fingertips. Various devotional books, such as ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers arrested my attention. ‘I’ll write one of those’, I said to myself. Ha!

I had words and I had a pen. That’s a dangerous combination. However as I tried to bring construction out of chaos the finished work was lifeless. In the pleasure of God He had to take me from theory to knowing by experiencing what I would develop through words. Combined with experience, the Lord wove into my heart the missing ingredient called passion. Much to my frustration this took time. But it was essential if ever I was to have something worthwhile to say. Without passion any writing will not live, faith will remain a theory and love will be but an illusion.

I write what I know. It has taken years of being shaped, crushed, rebuilt, pruned and stored before finding expression in print. I’m not young anymore and how many words will flow only the Lord knows. Still, without His taking me through the school of life’s experience and teaching me from the wisdom of others how to write, my desire would have simply expired in the mire of incompetence.

Allow me to close with the following poem. I think it will clarify what I’m trying to say.

I Wanted to Write

I wanted to write
A poem on love
Burning with desire!
It was so calculated
With words evaluated
For rhythm and rhyme
But,
Something amiss
Romance asleep
It was simply still life.

Then,
You came into my life!

I now had to write
My poem of love
For my heart burned
With a love unearned!
Words glowed on pages
Blazed through the ages!
Now,
Writing on fire
Romance alive
It was passionate life!

For,
You are now in my life.

Raymond N. Hawkins 23/1/2012.

Ray is the author of ‘The Neurotic Rooster’ devotions from three short term mission trips to Africa. (Self published). Then through ‘Even Before Publishing’ he has had ‘Children – God’s Special Interest’ and ‘From Eden with Love’ (the Biblical teaching on Marriage) available in Christian bookshops and on ‘Kindle.’

Ray is married to Mary, a multi-published Inspirational Romance author.