Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Jun 2, 2007 5:23:31 GMT -5
The Prophetic Writer
by Shari Weigerstorfer
When I started writing, I thought I wanted to be a writer. When my first pieces drew encouragement, I was sure of it. Except for the Lord's intervention, I may have been content with this idea...
It began when I felt His urging to enter a writing contest. It wasn't something I wanted to do. When I saw the writers topic: I had no doubt. It was hard. It was boring. It was dry. I said, "I can't do this!" He replied, "I can!"
With little faith (on my part) in His ability to work through me, we tackled the project. And you know what? It came out great. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, I saw the biblical scene in a new light. Feelings and emotions I normally wouldn't have imagined were present and apparent. It was fun. It was also hard work.
The piece didn't place in the contest. But it was instantly purchased by a publication with worldwide distribution to millions of readers. That was good enough for me.
From this experience, I learned what it was like to have to write "on demand." I didn't like it. I realized I only wanted to write about what I wanted to write about. I wondered about this.
Surely, a real "writer" would be willing to write about a topic that doesn't necessarily interest them. A "good" writer would be able to describe something such as a simple chair in words so eloquent you could feel the wood, see the texture, hear the creeks and smell the varnish.
This presented a problem: I didn't want to write about a chair. If that was a writer, it was nothing I wanted to be. So what was I doing?
By God's leading, at this point, I began to understand the calling of the "prophetic writer." Someone who, through the medium of writing, translates complex spiritual insight, revelation and wisdom into easily understandable illustrations, examples and stories.
From my experience in the writing contest, I knew my writing was not limited to "my" ability. Through the Spirit, we have access to creativity and insight beyond ourselves. I began to understand that I could be the "pen" and not the "writer."
This put an entirely different slant on being a "writer." I've always been more concerned in content than in form. And exploring revelation is infinitely more interesting than indulging in artistic exercise. It was intriging to think that writing could be an exciting spiritual adventure.
I began to search through scripture for revelation. I prayed for wisdom and understanding. I felt the Lord drawing me near. He was calling me into intimacy. Jesus was the answer. Wisdom is found in Him. He is the Spirit of Revelation.
So, did I dive right in? I thought I had. But the Lord revealed the truth through an internal vision:
I saw an underwater cave not far from the shore. A "cave of wonders" where one could "mine" for gems of wisdom. It was open to enter.
And where was I?
I was wading in the shallow waters right outside the cave's entrance. I was searching through rocks. Finding value in some. Discarding others. But it was obvious; nothing at the mouth of the cave could compare with what was to be found inside.
In reflection, I thought I had been "digging" for treasure. But I was really just flipping through my bible looking for the easily available wisdom. I was rummaging through my mind for lessons long ago learned that I could "polish" up.
The message was clear: I need to "enter in" to have access to the hidden gems, the wisdom of God. Jesus is not going stand in there and toss them out to me.
He beckons me, "Come."
(C) Shari Weigerstorfer
by Shari Weigerstorfer
When I started writing, I thought I wanted to be a writer. When my first pieces drew encouragement, I was sure of it. Except for the Lord's intervention, I may have been content with this idea...
It began when I felt His urging to enter a writing contest. It wasn't something I wanted to do. When I saw the writers topic: I had no doubt. It was hard. It was boring. It was dry. I said, "I can't do this!" He replied, "I can!"
With little faith (on my part) in His ability to work through me, we tackled the project. And you know what? It came out great. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, I saw the biblical scene in a new light. Feelings and emotions I normally wouldn't have imagined were present and apparent. It was fun. It was also hard work.
The piece didn't place in the contest. But it was instantly purchased by a publication with worldwide distribution to millions of readers. That was good enough for me.
From this experience, I learned what it was like to have to write "on demand." I didn't like it. I realized I only wanted to write about what I wanted to write about. I wondered about this.
Surely, a real "writer" would be willing to write about a topic that doesn't necessarily interest them. A "good" writer would be able to describe something such as a simple chair in words so eloquent you could feel the wood, see the texture, hear the creeks and smell the varnish.
This presented a problem: I didn't want to write about a chair. If that was a writer, it was nothing I wanted to be. So what was I doing?
By God's leading, at this point, I began to understand the calling of the "prophetic writer." Someone who, through the medium of writing, translates complex spiritual insight, revelation and wisdom into easily understandable illustrations, examples and stories.
From my experience in the writing contest, I knew my writing was not limited to "my" ability. Through the Spirit, we have access to creativity and insight beyond ourselves. I began to understand that I could be the "pen" and not the "writer."
This put an entirely different slant on being a "writer." I've always been more concerned in content than in form. And exploring revelation is infinitely more interesting than indulging in artistic exercise. It was intriging to think that writing could be an exciting spiritual adventure.
I began to search through scripture for revelation. I prayed for wisdom and understanding. I felt the Lord drawing me near. He was calling me into intimacy. Jesus was the answer. Wisdom is found in Him. He is the Spirit of Revelation.
So, did I dive right in? I thought I had. But the Lord revealed the truth through an internal vision:
I saw an underwater cave not far from the shore. A "cave of wonders" where one could "mine" for gems of wisdom. It was open to enter.
And where was I?
I was wading in the shallow waters right outside the cave's entrance. I was searching through rocks. Finding value in some. Discarding others. But it was obvious; nothing at the mouth of the cave could compare with what was to be found inside.
In reflection, I thought I had been "digging" for treasure. But I was really just flipping through my bible looking for the easily available wisdom. I was rummaging through my mind for lessons long ago learned that I could "polish" up.
The message was clear: I need to "enter in" to have access to the hidden gems, the wisdom of God. Jesus is not going stand in there and toss them out to me.
He beckons me, "Come."
(C) Shari Weigerstorfer