On October 13th, 2018, I was blessed to be able to successfully host, the first ever Christian Writers’ meet-up. It was a vision given by the Holy Spirit Himself. Sorry, I really have no apologies, but I can’t take the credit. If you don’t believe the Holy Spirit can speak to people, then the rest of the article may not interest you.
I confirmed that it was the Holy Spirit when I saw the outcome of the Event and when I received feedback from those in attendance. I met a number of persons for the first time at that Event and I immediately connected with them, wanting to get to know them better. Following feedback received, through the evaluation forms circulated at the Event, I saw the need to organise a simple follow-up activity and that’s what I did. On December 8th, we held a follow-up Social.
Now, if you were one of the persons who sponsored the Event held on October 13th, you would be happy to know that it was not in vain. As a result of your blessings, as a result of the support of each Writer who attended and as a result of the faithfulness of God, I can truly say, it was not in vain.
One writer told me that he has been writing for years, has written 13 books and now he is seriously considering embracing online technology as he prepares to launch his 14th book. Maybe, just maybe, he would start his first website.
At our Social persons in attendance shared what God has used the Event to do and what he is currently doing in their lives. One lady said, “before I would receive inspiration, have a lovely thought and never write it down, then I would loose it…..not anymore, I have been noting those inspirational thoughts that come to mind”. One young lady spoke about her fear to share her poems with others as she thought they were not good enough and told us how she finally found the courage to share them and received unexpected highly positive responses.
What really stood out to me was the testimony of another young lady; she indicated that she has been taking notes at church during the sermons. Her Pastor recently presented a series of messages and as a result of faithful note-taking, she was able to summarise these messages and present it to the church as a “Spoken Word” or Poem. This was certainly a new idea to us. We loved the fact that she took the initiative to approach her pastor, requesting his permission to present it during the church service. Because he said “yes”, persons were blessed and got the opportunity to see poetry in action at church and it was well received.
As persons continued to share, I felt a warm sensation in my stomach and a comforting reassuring peace that this step of obedience, this drive and perseverance to walk this vision towards life, was not a coincidence but a well thought-out plan orchestrated by God himself.
Too many times we live as if we are powerless, hopeless, totally ridden of resources and we can’t make things happen. I think it is because our eyes are often on ourselves and not on God and others. Life is supposed to be about pleasing God and others.
So, to my dear fellow writers, if you are enjoying some success as a writer, don’t let pride sneak into your heart. Remember you are gifted with a purpose; please stay on course and honour God with your gift. For you who are still struggling, trying to write something that others would read, keep practicing and for others who are prompted to start and are waiting for a golden pen to fall from heaven, stop waiting. Take up the pencil and the pad available to you and start jotting down your daily thoughts. Yes, you can start right there.
I am thankful to God for breathing hope and life into others through this recent movement to motivate Christian Writers to write, so that someone in their world can be reached.
I will be posting a related article later today, presenting useful tips for developing your writing. Be on the look out!
Great job, Janel. I’m impressed and encouraged.
Thank you Alice, your remarks are very encouraging; My prayer is that each article touches someone and provokes them to pursue a life of purpose.