November 2017
and probably taught the principles too, that, out of
Zebulun came those that handled the pen of the writer (Jud
5:14c KJV). Writing became knit in the fabric of Hebrew
culture. God's Book was in the writing for thousands of
years. routine and ritual lull people into a sleep mode. Every now
and then they need a jolt, a shot in the arm, an awakening
and a revival. That's why we must keep on writing,
warning, encouraging, waking up, pushing and pulling
them towards God (1 Jn 2:1,26).
Havoc followed when the Book was lost. People
lost their vision and went astray. Josiah got rid of the
mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and
all the other detestable things seen in Judah and
Jerusalem. This, Josiah did to fulfil the requirements of
the law written in the Book that Hilkiah the priest had
discovered in the temple of the Lord (2Ki 23:24). This is
what happens when the vision is not written or if the
written vision is lost (1Chron 28:19). Kings were
supposed to keep a copy of the law with them (Dt 17:18). The devil also has his employees to churn out false
teachings to flood Christendom. We need to counteract
them and protect the flock.
The coming generations should not be left without a
message. Not just the Scriptures but God has been using
men and women to bless unborn generations with the
inspirations He gave them. “Let this be written for a future
generation, that a people not yet created may praise the
Lord” (Psa 102:18). It is a legacy we leave behind. “When
you sell a book to a man, you don't sell him just 12 ounces
of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life”
said Christopher Morley.
Why write? John the Apostle gives the reason:
“These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the
Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in His name” (Jn 20:31). All through the
Scriptures people needed revival. A dullness, a coldness, a
Can I try my hand at Writing? you may ask. Why
not? You don't choose writing; writing chooses you. In the
beginning your writings may be rudimentary and
amateurish. But if you feel God stirring up your heart, you
should keep at it even though you may feel incompetent.
Once you sort out the initial hiccups, you will become
more confident. Moses was singularly ill-equipped for the
task, that God had to literally drag him by the collar to do
His job. Even though all can write, it must be accepted that
some have a natural flair for writing; or in spiritual
language the gift of writing. It is an itch they have to
scratch. If you recognize the seeds in you, keep watering
it. That means to keep at your fledgling efforts, whether it
gets published or not. Unused muscles atrophy. Make it a
habit. You have become a writer, albeit in embryo. Don't
be scared of mistakes. Seventy years of mistakes built me
up. Keep honing your writing skill. You may take a
training too or do a course in journalism. Improve your
language and knowledge by reading lot of books. Your
adoration of books will be translated into good writing. It
will up your success rate. Have a diary to note down
idioms, proverbs, expressions, quotes and illustrations
that you may tuck in, in your writings. Glean kernels of
practical wisdom from magazines and books you read.
There is a dearth of Christian literature in the
vernacular. If you write in your native tongue you must
have a storehouse of proverbs, idioms and short poems in
that language. For example, Thirukural in Tamil writing
will gladden the hearts of readers. One thing to remember
is, never to use your vitriolic pen for personal attacks.
Many are those who have the potential but do not
500th Issue
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