More Than Just Writing

Purposeful People

By Hadassah Lairmore

     Before I begin my (what I like to call, for lack of a better word), spiel, I first need to make a disclaimer (or an apology, whichever you deem better).
     Firstly, I must warn you: this is long. As I am a long-winded person, I guess this is to be expected. So, to those of you that dislike lengthy things, I'm sorry. Deal with it. :)
     Secondly, I am not writing this because I have this figured out. Quite on the contrary. I am writing this because I don't have this figured out. This is more of a message to myself than anyone because I am terrible at doing all the "don'ts" in this article. I want others to learn from my mistakes, but more than that, I want to learn from my mistakes. Writing is the way I sort through the tangled mess I call a brain. So, please, don't for a minute get the misguided idea that I have this figured out. I don't. But, maybe, by writing, I can look back and take something away, and maybe others can too.
     I dunno. I'm just rambling here. Bear with me.

     In life, there has to be a purpose for what you're doing. Simple actions without thought to the consequences or even the reasons for which you are doing them can lead to disastrous results. I should know. Ask any of my friends and they will tell you that I am one of the craziest, weirdest, most impulsive people you will probably ever meet, due to the fact that I am a proud ENTP. The Lord knew what he was doing when he said, 'no' when I asked Him if I could have an unlimited bank account. Had he said, 'yes,' I'd probably have taken over the world by now by accident. Or killed myself skydiving. 
     Or just bought lifetime supply of Taco Bell.
     As a result of being such a person, my brain works under the setting, "Act now, think later. It's more fun that way." While that might be true, it's also more dangerous and can lead to time wasted.

       You might be wondering how in the world time could be wasted if you are acting immediately, rather than thinking things through (Or you might be wondering if I'm entirely sane. The answer is no.). The answer is simple: if you don't have a purpose, then you are wasting your time doing pointless things. And, many times, your actions lead to consequences that could be avoided.
     Now, this is not to say that we should never have fun or be impulsive or even have those wonderful pointless moments. On the contrary, God has blessed us with life; we should glorify him and enjoy the gift of life - be grateful we have it and soak up every second of everyday and spend it with joy. But, the question is, are we really living a life worth living? 
     I recently finished a novel that I had originally intended to publish. I had made it as far as receiving my manuscript form of the novel from the publishers when I realized something about the novel: it was crap. Is it okay to write crap? Most certainly. But, this wasn't crap because it was terrible writing (although there was some of that) - it was crap because it was pointless. Granted, there had been some good points in the book, but the book itself was effortless and thoughtless. There was no cognitive exertion put into the book. It was simply another commercial fiction that was written, quite frankly, for the pleasing of other people. After having not read the book for a good month, I went back through it and reevaluated why I had written it in the first place. I am chagrined to admit that I wrote it for the simple reason that it would be an easy write, easy read, and really didn't provoke anything other than light thinking. It didn't have a worthwhile purpose. It was, honestly, a waste of time to read. Why? Because it had no point. The novel was written for the same reason so many other authors write and publish their books - because it was the kind of book people wanted: easy. It was horribly status quo. 
   

 I spent so much time on that book, when in the end, it wasn't really a worthwhile endeavor. Granted, I improved my writing skills and was able to experience what it would be like to finish and nearly publish a book, but I didn't expand my mind. I didn't push myself. I never gave a thought of whether I was writing a story that would be worth someone's time to read. I went for the easy and never thought to put a purpose behind what I was doing. 
     1 Corinthians 10:31 states, "So whether you eat or drink,or whatever you do, do it to the glory of God." (ESV) Was my book written for the glory of God? For the betterment of those who would read it? For a character building of myself?
     Sadly, no.  The book was written for the enjoyment of others. Is this a sin? No. In fact, we are to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). But, it wasn't encouraging. It wasn't promoting anything "pure and lovely" (Philippians 4:8). Some of the things I put in the book, I disagreed with, but added them in anyway because I knew that was what the world would like. I compromised what I believed to make it desirable. Quite frankly, it was a people-pleaser, not something of excellence.
     It was the kind of book I would not recommend for a good read, as much as that pains me to say. 
     1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? So glorify God in your body." (ESV) Your mind is included, as it is a part of your body; therefore, use your minds to glorify God. Make what you're doing have a purpose. If you're going to invest time into something, make sure you know the reason for investing in it. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (ESV) In whatever we're doing, whether it's writing or simply living life, we are commanded not to waste time, to do things worth doing. This is especially important as a writer. God has given us imagination and creativity and the ability to put characters together to form words that form worlds. It's kind of like a superpower. 
     No, it is a superpower. (If this isn't a superpower, I don't know what is).  
     Throughout writing, we are given an opportunity to benefit others by spilling our heart onto pages. Why waste time writing something that serves no purpose, or worse - causes someone to stumble. The Bible has harsh words for those who cause others to stumble spiritually (Romans 14:13, 23b), saying that He will make them "despised and abased" (Malachi 2:8-9). In this passage, the Lord was rebuking the priests of Israel for turning aside from His instruction. We are no different than the priests. As writers, we are leaders in our own way. We use our inspiration and imagination and creativity to inspire others through our writings. How do we use that inspiration? Is it used to glorify God? Or, like the priests, are we causing others to stumble because of the message(s) in our writings? 
     So, how are we supposed to write with a right purpose, and how often should we do it? All the time? 
     To write with a purpose, to do something for the glory of God, you have to have God be the center, be your core. It's the things and people that are most important to us and interest us the most that we talk about and spend time with the most. When we consume good literature, we find that our writing becomes better as well. This is because our actions are an outpouring of our heart (Matthew 12:34). If we immerse ourselves in God's word and spend time with Him, He will be the outpouring of our heart because our heart is so saturated with him. We are to love God with everything we have (Mark 12:30). Unfortunately, that is impossible, as we are flesh. Not even for one fraction of one second in our lives will we be capable of loving the Lord with everything we have; that is how wicked we are. But, God (my favorite phrase in the entire Bible), in his mercy and love for us, helps us (Philippians 4:13). It is through this immersion of both our minds and our souls - the meditation of God's word - that strengthens us and gives us the ability to write and write in such a way that glorifies God. If we are so immersed in God, then it isn't much of an effort as it is a simple outpouring of the heart. "My soul magnifies the Lord." (Luke 1:46). 
     To bring about excellence in your writing, it has to have a purpose. It has to be thought-provoking. You have to have a solid plot and awesome characters. But there is more to writing than just regurgitating words onto a page; writing is the key that opens doors to impossible possibilities. To be a good writer, you have to be one who writes with a purpose. 
     Now, that isn't to say that everything you write has to be profound, theological, philosophical, perfect, or even semi-brilliant. But, there has to be a reason for writing. Whether it's to make somebody smile, to express your feelings, or to give a different perspective on a situation...
     Or even ramble endlessly on a blog about not wasting your time...
     ...There needs to be a purpose. If there is no purpose, you will get lost in your writings. But, more importantly, you will be unable to glorify God. God didn't give us the ability to read and write so we could waste it on frivolous endeavors. He gave us our talents so they could be used for the furthering of His kingdom and glory. 
    

We need be cautious, however, so we don't become legalistic. This is a very common and easy thing to do among believers. We get into a routine and habitual check-list of what we should and shouldn't do and we forget the whole point of why we were doing those things in the first place: out of love (Romans 14:17). Not out of a sense of duty or obligation, but because we have such a love for the Lord, we obey His commandments and strive to be like Him (John 14:15).  
      Whatever we are doing, whether it's work, or school, or even in our writing, we need to realize it's more than just writing. Whatever we are doing is a ministry because we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are living a lifestyle and the question isn't how God fits into that lifestyle, but how our lifestyle fits around God. Matthew 6:33 says, "But, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." It says seek first God, and you will find that you have all you need.
     When we realize it's more than just writing or more than just living a life of rules and obligations, we are able to realize the importance of doing things with a purpose. We become purposeful people because we are given a purpose to put to good use. 
     We are serving God's purpose, not our own.
     So, whatever you're told, no, it's not 'just writing'.