A Compelling Reason to Write

Posted by Andrew Hedges on September 13, 2012 · 9 Comments 

Writing is not easy for me, but it’s necessary.

When I hear something interesting, it takes my mind to a new place for a while. But, I have a terrible memory. If I don’t write a note or phrase, it will likely be gone forever.

I’ve also heard that reteaching something solidifies the concept in your mind. As a teacher and trainer, I’ve found this to be true and very helpful. At times, though, I want to argue with myself about what I’m teaching. This doesn’t turn out too well if I actually act on that desire in front of a crowd!

Writing has become a way for me to understand. Sometimes my writing is terrible; others it’s OK. No matter how it turns out, writing helps me plumb the depths of an idea, affirm a desire to act on something, or realize a concept is just not worth pursuing.

Yet, writing is also for others.

People who have reached the same fork in the road and want to learn for our successes and failures. Those who haven’t quite made it to the same place, but they may one day turn to the guidance and encouragement of the written word. Writing is also for those who have yet to take their first breath.

Psalm 102:18 (ESV) says, “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.”

God is the greatest teacher and trainer of all, but He’s also chosen to be the Magnificent Writer. He has recorded truth for generations to know and experience His loving heart. We are 2,000 years removed from Jesus physically walking, healing and preaching on the earth; however, we experience Him in a powerful way through the written Word.

If people experience my heart through my writings, it makes me wonder what picture comes to mind. It gives me reason to pause and go back time and again to consider what I’ve written. It’s difficult to evaluate the interesting thoughts I received listening or consider what others have hard in my teaching. But I do have the opportunity to go back over my writings and ask myself some tough but essential questions.

• What am I most passionate about?
• How do I interact with my God, my wife, my children, and others?
• Have I been writing anything of significance for those on the journey?
• Is anything I’ve written worth sharing with generations yet to be created?

In the coming days, I’m taking time to reread all of my previous posts in order to understand even more. My prayer is that I will become a better writer as a result – not just for me but for all who will read.

In this thoughtful evaluation, I must be prepared to see myself objectively. I will see weaknesses that need attention. I may see unexpected strengths. I hope it will help me focus my passionate energies on those things which matter most. I may even see God’s hand in a way that I never had before.

But I would not have this opportunity if I had not written a single word.

So I write.

Filed under Awakened Faith, Scripture Reflections · Tagged with discipline of journaling, discipline of writing, evaluation, generations, hearing, journaling, listening, reflection, remember, Teaching, understand, write, writing