What I write and why I write

Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails – given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.  Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

We’re nearly the end of Ecclesiastes now – and we’re right back where we started: considering the role of the the teacher. We considered this back at the beginning of the month in Who are the teachers in my life right now?

We reflected on those people we allow to speak into our lives –

A teacher, lecturer or professor…

A coach, instructor or trainer…

A respected relative or friend…

A church leader, spiritual director or guru…

A counsellor, therapist or doctor…

A motivational speaker or preacher

A particular writer…

About how important it is to choose and trust the right teacher. And how important it is to take our responsibility as teacher seriously.

I write. And in many ways, that is a lot like teaching. I impart knowledge. I do a lot of pondering and searching. I do search to find the right words and I really hope that what I write is upright and true.

In fact, as I write this, I am writing these words to one of my children on Facebook –

Don’t think about it. Dig deep. Stick it out. It is not a choice. You will hate yourself so much if you do. Finishing this course really really matters for your self confidence and your future. You are so close. Don’t give up now.

We’re all teaching and writing and choosing our words all the time. All day long. The words we say and write all day everyday influence the lives of those around us.

The writer describes our words as goads and firmly embedded nails. Which means nothing to us.

The best explanation I’ve found comes from Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible –

The words of the wise are like goads…goads are used to teach an ox or a sheep to walk in the right path. A goad is basically a pointy stick, used by men to prick their cattle to push them in the right direction. To make them keep going. To focus on the task in hand.

Aren’t our words intended to be like that sometimes?

Their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails…Like a nail embedded into wood, these words stick. They are fixed. Once these words are embedded in the mind and memory, it’s really hard to pull them out. Nails fix things. Nails fasten things together. Wise words draw us closer to God, fasten our souls to Him.

Aren’t our words intended to be like that sometimes?

Given by one Shepherd…the ultimate shepherd of the flock, the Good Shepherd, as mentioned in Psalm 23. God Himself. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

There’s a lot of books out there. A lot of articles. A lot to read. We need to be sure that what we are reading is good for our souls. Because words prompt us to action. And words stick. Words matter.

As I said, I write.

I write this blog – this journey through the Bible in five and a half years. In it, I write a response to what I read. I don’t claim to be a Bible scholar. I’m reading a passage and responding to it. I’m not leaving out what I don’t like or can’t make sense of or don’t understand. Sometimes, it’s a very personal response; sometimes less so. This journey through the Bible has been a wonderful learning experience for me and I hope I am encouraging others to walk with me and get to know the Bible better for themselves – and by doing that, get to know God better too.

I write fiction – pretty real, earthy fiction that some people have had a huge problem with. I have really had to search my heart and believe God has absolutely no problem with me writing fiction. He delights in it. Not in the subject matter, probably – who would? It’s gritty and not nice, but it’s real. It holds up a mirror to society and reflects human existence. I love writing stories. I lose myself in them an they take on a life of their own. They start to write themselves. And for all that they show the less than pleasant side of life, there is hope and life and love and light in there. There is something to say that is worth saying and hearing.

I write for the Pretty Vintage Life blog. This is all about positivity. About living life to the full. About embracing experience and adventure. About making the best of who we are and what we have.

I write for the Yogamatters blog. In these blogs, I seek to inform and inspire and encourage. Yoga has been great for me and I do believe that everybody can benefit from it – physically and mentally.

And I write letters and texts and comments on Facebook. As we all do. And here is where I often get drawn into being less than wise. Where I don’t think carefully enough about what I’m saying.

I write a lot. More than most. It’s my thing. I write more than my friends can keep up with! And I have no idea what effect my writing has. Who reads it. Who responds to it. Who takes offence to it. Whose life changes as a result of it.

I just do it and aim to do the best job I can. Aim to choose my words wisely.

I keep doing what I’m doing and have faith that God will tell me when to stop.

TO DO: Every time you write something today, think about what you’re writing. Think about the wording. Think about the effect it may have. Think about how it will be received. (This may make my day a whole lot longer!)