When words don't seem enough

I'd like to share two thoughts from Moses' life that I've been thinking about lately.

In Numbers 20:7-11 The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock so that water would pour out. But when Moses gathered the people, he became impatient and struck the rock twice with his staff. God was gracious and water gushed out, but because he disobeyed, Moses lost the opportunity of entering the Promised Land.

Moses biggest problem was he did not trust God enough. God had told Moses to bring his staff (v. 8) and Moses expected to use it to produce a miracle like he had done in the past. Just speaking to the rock didn't seem enough.

I understand how Moses felt, often it seems like my words are not enough – whether I say words, write words or even pray words. Sometimes it doesn't seem enough. I become impatient and want to do something, anything really, maybe even hit a rock with a stick.

We are like Moses in that we want to repeat something that we had success with in the past. Maybe write a similar book, maybe use the same marketing plan that worked previously or maybe enlist the same people to help us again. However God might be asking us to do something completely different and it just doesn't feel like it would work. It doesn't seem enough. Yet if we don't follow through we might miss the opportunity God is opening up for us.

~~~

Later in Moses' life we see him speaking out against the men who had begun to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women and had started sacrificing to their gods. Moses' leadership was ineffective at this point - an Israelite man brought a Midianite woman into the camp right in front of Moses. So Phinehas (Aaron's grandson) took a spear, entered their tent and drove it through both of them (Numbers 25). It is both a violent and sexual image that many Christian fiction readers would not be comfortable with.

This incident tells us that the younger generation were stepping up into spiritual leadership but they were doing it in ways that might make older people feel uncomfortable. Likewise as writers we need to encourage a new generation to step up, even if it means they are writing scenes that make us feel uncomfortable or expressing truth in ways that are more confrontation than we would like. God rewarded Phinehas' actions because he was zealous for God's honour.

The longer we are writers the more our responsibility moves towards encouraging the next generation to write and speak whatever God has put in their hearts.

And if they communicate the words that God gives them, it will be enough.

*****

Susan Barnes likes to write devotional thoughts on Bible passages, book reviews and inspirational articles. She loves to challenge people's thinking and regularly blogs at abooklook.blogspot.com.au. She is also a school chaplain and pastor's wife.

Write, Write, Write by Jo Wanmer

"Write, write, write."

These prophetic words were spoken over me by Isobel Allum, a Canadian speaker, who visited our church about a month ago. She didn't know anything about me. The message continued...
"For there is a lot of treasure in you, many things people won't know. Things will disappear if you don't write them, for others will forget them. They are very, very important, for God is going to use you to show the journey of many. You're going to help people."

Ready for another day.

I believe this is an important word for all Australian authors. Australia is in a transition period spiritually. It is an exciting time for God is bringing forth a new thing. The prophets have spoken about it. Events in the churches have been heralding change, often not comfortable . And things are changing in the world of Christian writing, even in the short time I've been involved.

Transition is always difficult. The only person who's happy about transition is the midwife. She is excited because she knows the birth is close, new life is imminent. Holy Spirit is hovering over our nation, excitedly awaiting for the birth of a new thing. Like an baby it is still undefinable, as its not yet seen, but it is coming.

So write, Aussie writers. Write your books, your blogs, your posts...and write in your journals, your diaries. Write the change. Now you may not notice it  in the moment, but when you look back you will see it.

Jesus came into the world, born into controversy and danger, his very life entrusted to a young maiden and a young man who listened to God. That event changed world history. How do we know? It is recorded, written by two gospel authors. 

Steve writes and writes.
One day these words will
be in print, I hope.

Our faith is based on the ten commandments. How do we know them? Moses was a prolific writer. God instructed him to write down what happened. 

Apostle John, exiled to Patmos was told to record what he saw and sent it to the churches and so to this day we ponder his Revelation.

Today, we have an incredible opportunity to record the new thing in journals, blogs, posts and books, even fiction books. Some of us will like what is happening. Many will oppose it. The debate and differences will refine and define the move.

Write, write, write. God has called you for this time.

Jo Wanmer dug out her mother's dusty old diaries when researching 'Though the Bud be Bruised.' They were an invaluable help. The book was published in 2012, twelve years after the author of these records had passed away. Jo should have a web page, but until then you can follow her on Face Book.