“Discovering God’s Golden Threads”
Hello, writer! Have you enjoyed your week? I hope you took a little time to get to know “you” better and to explore your God-given design and how you can work with who God made you to be to write! This week, we’re going to take one step forward –in knowing our starting point—from knowing you to knowing your story.
Knowing our story is a powerful thing. Once we know what our story is…it’s simply a matter of finding the best way to share it. But before we dive in too deep, let’s look at some people who know their stories.
Knowing Your Story in History
Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who knew his story, and not only told it, but allowed it to shape his life. Though born to an African American family of privilege in the south, King’s experiences and travels opened his eyes to the injustices of segregation during the 1940’s-1960’s. He knew this was his story to champion, and he did just that. The African American population needed a clear message to galvanize them to stand. Because King knew not just his personal story, but the greater story of his people and—as a preacher—the even greater context of God’s Kingdom, he was able to become a voice with a message that transformed his times and is still remembered today.
It works the same with us, writer. Often our stories (whether fiction or non-fiction) are deeply rooted in our personal story, life, and experiences; sometimes in history; and always in what God has done and is doing in and all around us. Even the most fanciful fight of fiction will bleed through with our life experiences. When we begin to take note of where God is at work in and through us our stories often become clearer. Let’s keep going.
Knowing Your Story in the Bible
The woman at the well is another great example of someone who knew their story…and was ashamed of it. But when she encountered Jesus, her life was radically changed, and she saw her story—even her sordid past—in a whole new light. That story became the one she shared with everyone. It was a story that transformed an entire village.
In the same way, when we passionately write from the place where God has touched our lives, our words and stories will have an impact.
Knowing Your Story in Life
For me, I knew from a young age that the truth was the most important thing and that my stories had to show the truth. But as I grew, I saw that my message—my story from God—had a lot to do, not just with truth, but with love and freedom. With the burning desire to see people recognize and experience genuine love and to experience the freedom to run in their God-designed calling. The stories that I wrote as a result changed me and changed others to see that, in the love and freedom of Christ, what seems impossible is possible and that the difficult truths of life are worth embracing.
Knowing YOUR Story
Most of the time, writer, we begin writing because there is a burning need in our hearts…a need to share a story. But often, that burning desire begins as a seed…it’s hard to articulate at first. Hard to put into words. But here’s the good news, writer. As we nurture this story—that passion—the seed will begin to grow. And the better news is that knowing our stories—our God-given messages—change us just as much as it changes others.
And here’s the other thing—knowing your story requires courage. It requires authenticity. Because the only story we can share with power is our own: the one God has written for us, and the one we discover in Him. Because in the end, do you know what overcomes? It’s this…
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. – Revelation 12:11
A testimony, writer, is a legal term. It’s simply a record of what happened. It’s what a witness gives on the witness stand. Those courtroom testimonies change lives forever. In the same way, knowing your story has potential to transform lives and overturn works of darkness! Just like with King. Just like with the Samaritan woman. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look.
- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. – Revelation 12:11
- Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. – Psalm 119:129-130 - One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts. – Psalm 145:4 (CSB)
- Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. – Habakkuk 2:2
Where to Start with Knowing Your Story
Here’s the thing, writer—knowing your story is really about knowing what God is doing in your life, in your world, and in the season of life you are in. The key to knowing your story is about discovering these God threads and allowing what He’s done to burn through your pages, whether they are in lines of whimsical prose or pragmatic nonfiction. Here are a few ways to do that.
- Begin with what you do know. And write it. Maybe you want to write a memoir and don’t know where to start. Write a blog post about a key moment in your childhood and how God changed you in it. Maybe you want o write a novel. Begin with a scene, a character, or a moment that captures your heart—and simply write it out. Often one small step of love toward our stories will open further revelation and insight to take the next.
- What themes are in your life? What great works has God done for you? What has He said? How has He directed and changed you. Often, we find these gold threads woven not just through our lives, but also through our stories.
- What lights your heart on fire? Look at the messages and themes that are burning on your heart. The things you keep talking and thinking about… The things you feel you need to say. The thing you wish everyone knew. Often those deepest desires are an integral part of the story God’s given us to tell.
- What characters, places, issues, and things capture your heart? Sometimes they are real issues and dynamics in the world around us. Sometimes they are fictional characters and places where we are free to explore hard truths more deeply. But know this, God has placed you where you are in this time and space for a reason. And He is the one who has put these desires and questions in your mind and heart. Don’t be afraid to let those things bubble up through your writing.
Now here’s the final thing, writer. Most of us have an idea of the story we want to share—deep in our hearts. Often, it’s more about having the courage to actually share it. Just like Martin Luther King Jr., the Samaritan woman, and even me, sharing our God-given story will demand you to boldly op en parts of your heart to share with the great wide world. With people who might not agree. With people who might question or misunderstand or remember your past or even attack you. And it can make you feel a little vulnerable.
But imagine what darkness we would still live in if King hadn’t shared his story in the face of opposition? That the village would have lived in if the Samaritan woman had been too ashamed to speak? That those who have been freed up to focus on God’s call would have missed if I thought my own story was trivial? Because here’s the best thing, writer. When you know that story in your heart and you boldly follow God’s leading to share it, you will find God indwelling those words… After all, there is a reason it feels like they’re pushing to get out!
Maybe you don’t feel that “pushing” anymore but once did? Let me encourage you, writer! You story is still there. You see, if the enemy can’t scare you out of telling your story, he will try to numb you out of telling it. But here’s the thing. Whether you are fearful or numb or are just wondering how to take your next step, God is the God of all stories, and you can ask Him for the courage and passion that you need to finish. Once you’ve asked Him, take that next step in faith. It may not be easy—but I know at He will meet you there. The story He’s put in you is worth it.
#story #power #passion #EveryWriterWriting
