“A God-Designed Workmanship”
Dear Writer, I hope you had a good week and started to take a look at the role of constructive criticism in your growth and writing! This week, we’re going to begin exploring one aspect of our writing journey that will make integrating constructive criticism and so many other facets of your writing life simpler. That aspect is voice.
You see, writer, there are countless factors that contribute to your unique voice. If you don’t feel you know what your voice sounds like, you can gain insight by beginning to explore and examine those factors that make you, you. For the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at some of these “ingredients,” and like identifying points on a map, we will help you begin to gain a clearer picture of the unique voice you’ve been given to share with the world. One of the first components we’ll look at is our interests.
That’s right, writer. We can begin to discern our voice simply by beginning to pay closer attention to those thing that capture our attention and imagination. But we before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others who, through embracing their interests shaped the voice and message that they shared with the world.
Interests in History
Eric Liddell is a great example of a man who allowed his interests to dramatically shape his voice and impact on others. As a young man, Eric pursued his athletic inclinations and became one of the fastest runners in the world, winning many international competitions and gaining much notoriety. And here’s the interesting thing. Eric also had a deep interest in the Lord, which informed the way he ran, including his refusal to compete on Sundays.
This witness made an impact on the world, and so did his willingness to leave sports behind to serve as a missionary in China, where he died in as a prisoner of war just months before the end of World War II. Little did Eric know that both of those interests would cause his voice to echo over the decades as his story continues to inspire countless believers today to a deeper and bolder trust in God.
You see, writer, sometimes we may not know the way that our interests will have an impact on our lives or on the world, but when we are faithful to wholeheartedly pursue, as unto Him, those things God designed us to do, whether it’s running or evangelization or anything in between, we have no idea how God will use them to create a voice and message for His glory.
Interests in the Bible
David was a man of many interests. Both a worshiper and a warrior, David pursued his passions in song and in battle. As a result, his kingship not only established Israel as a secure and thriving nation but also instituted day and night worship and produced a rich store of poetry and songs that millions still use in worship and prayer to invite the presence of God into their homes and congregations today.
You see, writer, when we give ourselves permission and space to pursue the interests God placed on our hearts, it shapes the way we think and live and work, which in time, slips out through our words to shape others hearts and lives, too. King David never neglected his passion for worship and that legacy outlasted the stability Israel’s Kingdom at the time.
Interests in Life
I gave myself permission to pursue my interests in home organization. For years my house had been burdensome and cluttered felt like an obstacle to my dreams rather than a haven. Though it felt selfish, I began to investigate ways to make my home beautiful, simple, and livable, so that it fueled my dreams instead of holding them back.
Pursuing that interest through what sometimes felt like “idle blog surfing” or redecorating, not only created a warm space for guests, but it also tooled my life for fruitfulness and prepared me to walk through God’s open doors—because my home was orderly enough to leave in the care of others. Now, the lessons I’ve learned has opened doors for me to speak into others’ lives to help them gain freedom to live their God-given dreams, too.
Interests in Your Life
Often God places desires and interests in lives, because He knows that as we pursue those interests, it will prepare us for where He’s leading us and will open the door for Him to bring us deeper into His plans for our lives. Let me show you…
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- You formed my inmost being; a You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. – Psalm 139:13-16
- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
- Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
- Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, – Colossians 3:23
- Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. – Proverbs 16:3
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You see, writer, one of the beautiful things about voice is that, when we give ourselves space to pursue our God-given interests and desires, even seemingly trivial ones like running, we discover that unique space where He designed us to experience Him. This allows Him to use us in that unique workmanship He has created for us from before the foundation of the world.
Eric Liddell had no idea that his success in running would create a unique platform not just to glorify God in sports, but also later to amplify his powerful message of joy-filled faithfulness—even to death—as he served the Lord in China. And here’s the thing, writer. When we allow ourselves permission to pursue those deep heart desires God’s placed in us, it will open unexpected doors for our voice and message, too.
Where to Start with Your Interests
So are you ready to begin developing your voice by exploring your interests? Here are a few ideas to get you started!
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- Take a Media Break. If you aren’t sure what your interests are, consider turning off a few of life’s other inputs for a day or several and make space to begin generating your own thoughts. When life is quiet, what do you gravitate toward? What ideas and desires bubble to the top? Your God-given interests will often be ones that come to mind again and again regardless of place, time, or stage of life. Make a list of these and begin to experiment with some of them!
- Make an Inventory. For those of you who do know what your interests are, prayerfully review them. What has captured your attention since childhood? What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about time or money? Where would you like to go? What new activity would you like to try? What topic do you want to learn more about? Once you’ve made your list, note which interests are strongest and—if you aren’t already—see how you can begin intentionally pursuing them.
- Get Topical. Make note of what topics you talk about often. Are there certain subjects or ideas you are drawn to research or to talk about again and again? That may be an interest to dive into! And here’s the nice thing. Even if a particular interest turns out be a dead end, the experience of pursuit will still have grown you, and your voice will become richer.
- Play. One wonderful way to discover your interests is simply to play. If you were to rest and “play” for a day, what would you do? Answering this question can sometimes reveal a whole host of interests.
- Ask Older Family Members. Sometimes we have interests we outgrow, and sometimes they are simply lost under the press of life. Conversations with those who knew our totally unfiltered selves can provide key insights into the things that interest us. Because here’s the thing, writer…
At heart, exploring your interests and developing your voice is really an exercise in freedom. God designed us for freedom, because it is in that place of freedom that we truly begin to grow and to experience Him and who He has made us to be. And here’s the beautiful thing about freedom…
As we begin to embrace the freedom God has given us, He will naturally begin to reach through us to free others, too. Just like Eric’s freedom to pursue running opened doors for his God-given message to impact believers and non-believers alike for generations to come. Just like David’s freedom unleashed a nation to serve the Lord and has sparked worship through countless generations. Just like my freedom empowered others to live out their own life of freedom as well.
Because here’s the other thing, writer. When we allow God to use the interests and desires to shape our voice, He can speak through us in a way that far outlasts us. Just like Eric. Just like David. And I hope for the same for my messages some day.
So I encourage you today, writer, if you have interests and passions that you‘ve put on hold, reconsider taking them up again. Do a little research. Try out an idea. Attend an event. Because here’s the final thought. In God, there is no division between the common and the holy. He can use running to speak to nations as well as evangelism. He can use battle to establish His Kingdom or worship. You can trust that whatever deep desires He has placed on your heart—He can and will use them for His glory as we do whatever we do wholeheartedly as unto Him (Colossians 3:23)—just like Eric and David and myself.
So I challenge you today, writer, to give yourself permission to wholeheartedly explore those God-given interests. As you do, you never know how God will use that pursuit to expand you to hold and express more and more of His heart to the world around you, too.
#voice #wholehearted #ForHisGlory #HeartsDesire #EveryWriterWriting
