What Inspires You?

Inspire:

To fill with animating, quickening, or exalting influence. To take into the lungs in breathing; inhale

Every writer knows writing is a solitary endeavor. Discouragement waits at our feet like a growling pit bull. Any bit of doubt in our ability to write, and it leaps up to snap at our fingers. What’s a writer to do?

1. Feed the pit bull a treat. Fall into his jaws and let him gnaw on you while you agonize over your writing, future career, or looming deadline.
2. Drop to the floor and wrestle the pit bull, in a futile attempt to show your dominance.
3. Using your best command voice, tell him “down, boy!”

I have done all three of the above, especially when I have head-to-the-wall writer’s block.

Let’s try something new. In Allen Arnold’s book, The Story of With, he invites the reader to create with God, rather than for God. His premise is we spend far too much time and energy working on something, then asking God to bless the outcome.

Instead, we should invite God to be part of our creative journey from the beginning. Imagine sitting at your writing space, whether it’s a desk in the corner of a bedroom, the dining table, or your favorite coffee place. Close your eyes and breathe in. According to Dictionary.com, you have just been inspired. You’ve breathed in an exalting influence, the very Spirit of God who lives in you.

In his book, Called to Create, Jordan Raynor stresses the importance of viewing our work as nothing less than service to God and the world. Your work is valuable to God’s kingdom. It doesn’t matter to God if you write devotionals, historical fiction, or narrative nonfiction. You are a creator, making something from nothing. It’s a holy calling to write with God.

When I’m discouraged, I glance up at the bulletin board hanging over my desk where I pin encouraging words spoken to me. There’s also cards my hubby has given me when I’ve reached a goal. I have a photo of my brother who passed away earlier this year. He was one of my most enthusiastic cheerleaders, a proud big brother.

Because writing is a painful joy, we need physical reminders that what we’re doing is worthwhile.

What inspires you?