FMF {inspire} Self, what inspires you to write?

This post is written in conjunction with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday community of faith writers.  Thank you, Kate, for inspiring us to write for five minutes each week on your word prompt selection, which I believe is divinely inspired.

Please join me for FMF {inspire}

Five minutes on the timer.  Ready, set GO…

 

Self, what inspires you to write?

Every person with breath in their lungs is a living story which needs to be shared with someone.  The Scripture which best paints this picture for me is this one – Hebrews 12:1-3 in the Message translation.

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

 

 

all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? 

There are people watching.  People have already lived out their race, persevered, crossed the finish line and received their prize.  There are those in the past who served God with their whole heart (not perfectly, but well) never intending to be a story written, but God felt it was important for their story to be recorded.  Abram, Moses, David, Esther, King Jehoshaphat, and Mary.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God

And Jesus, He set the example.  He is the greatest inspiration of all.  Because He made the narrow way for me… because He promises to be with me always… because He makes me an overcomer by His blood-bought sacrifice and the story He’s given me to run to the finish line.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

And this inspires me too.  I’m not supposed to be a writer.  At least that’s what I’ve been told by so many people in my life.  Teachers and friends have often told me to stick to numbers.  I never earned above a “B-” on any writing assignment in any language arts class…EVER.

However, I stubbornly hold to the belief that other people shouldn’t get to decide if I am a writer or not. I have a passion for words and a passion for encouraging others.  I take great delight in sharing my real life scenarios, which paint word pictures to help me and others understand the truth of God’s word.  Assisting others in sharing their stories fills my heart with JOY.

It’s the real life stories, as we race together, spurring one another on to the finish line, which inspires me to write.  It’s exciting to think that through our stories someone who is losing steam might receive a shot of adrenaline to press on and win the prize of their inheritance.

Stop. (pictures added after the 5-minute timer)

Ponder:

1. What (or who) inspires you?
2. Inspiration leads you to do or to be what?
3. What would you love to try except that you believe you wouldn’t be good at it?
4. Will you try anyway?