The days are getting even longer, busier. The mornings are filled with to do-lists and preparations for the rest of the day. You have, as they say, places to go, students and partners to meet, and things to do. You go through the rest of the day traveling, meeting, talking, accomplishing. You’re not complaining but you have to admit, your day is busy enough as it is. We totally agree with you, but let us encourage you to do one more thing: write.

Write about when God meets you in your situation. Write about revelations and insights shared to you about the bible or about Christianity. Write about your observations on how we do things. Write about an amazing story of a student’s changed life, with permission, of course.

It doesn’t have to be a novel. It doesn’t have to be an 800-word essay. You can start with a paragraph, or two. It will grow as you go along.

To which of course, you wonder, why the sudden push for writing?

First of all, with the year having just begun, this is a great opportunity to start the good habit of writing. Here are three more reasons why we urge you to jot down your thoughts for sharing:

1. It chronicles our chapter of the church.

The bible tells us that when King Nebuchadnezzar called on his magicians and demanded that they tell him his dream and interpret it for him, it was beyond their abilities and none of them could do it. The King, suspicious that they may have been plotting against him, sentenced all the wise men to death.

When the commander of the king’s guard came for Daniel and his friends, Daniel asked and found out why the King ordered their execution. Daniel then asked for more time so that he may explain the dream to the King.

Daniel then gathered his friends and urged them to pray to God for the answer. The bible then tells us that, “the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night.” Before, however, Daniel got ready to meet the king and present him with the answer, Daniel took the time to write a short poem in response to the faithfulness of God.

These accounts of God’s interaction with man – whether ancient or contemporary – show us both God’s and man’s nature. In the bigger picture of it all, we see them bear witness to God’s faithfulness.

As God continues to interact with us today, let’s not leave our chapter of the church unrecorded. Let our writings demonstrate that God is the God across ages and cultures. He continues to move, whether it’s in the life of Daniel the exile or Daniel the present-day student.

2. It allows us to speak directly about problems.

Many of the new testament writers wrote and spoke in response to some pressing problems of the people of God. He gave them the ability to communicate His truth so that they may edify the church and give glory to Him.

Some may contest that writing is so impersonal. Not quite so. In the book of Colossians, Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians expressing his heart for them. He later wrote, “Though I am absent in flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Paul never met the Colossians and yet they weren’t a faceless audience. He studied their struggle and learned more about their background and progress. By the time he finished his study on them, he felt loving empathy for them.

Who then is your audience? What problems are facing the students, for example? How can you encourage them through it or even share with them God’s word on the matter? Writing about them may be one of the best ways to reach them.

3. It offers an alternative.Social-Media-2014

Consider the content available through radio, television and the internet today. What information are the students receiving? What perspectives and insights are they reading through? With all the blogs and social media pages existing, what supposed “truths” are being presented to them?

We need to present them with an alternative. They need to know that they can choose Christ and a life lived for Him. The more we write, the more they see a community of people with different lives and different personalities all living to honor God.

Writing is a good way to present people with good news and to present ourselves as reliable companions in their walk with Christ. It’s also a great way to show that the word of God is living and active, that it continues to work in our lives today.

Let us then follow in footsteps of the biblical authors. We encourage you to write to respond to God, to record His faithfulness and to encourage anyone who needs or wants the Word.

Source:

Anonymous (year unknown), “Why Write?”