Writing as One Made in the Image of God

As one who invested more than a decade of his life to full-time ministry, I can say that with very few exceptions (charlatans) people do not enter full-time ministry for the money. They do so because they feel a calling to ministry, or because they cannot be at peace doing anything else.

Similarly, men and women do not strive after a career in writing for the promise of great wealth. Few are the authors who see a great enough return on their writing to make a full-time career of it. Yet writers abound. Why?

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a burning fire, shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”

—Jeremiah 20:9, NIV-1978

I do not believe the burn to write within you is there by accident, or that it is a mistake. Just as a dancer must dance, and a singer must sing, writers must write. Writing energizes us. It satisfies a hunger within, just as failure to do so fills us with anxiety, or leaves us feeling void and lethargic.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

—Genesis 1:27, NIV-1978

God is a writer. He writes his Law onto our hearts and minds (Romans 2:15, Hebrews 10:16, Jeremiah 31:33). Jesus, God incarnate, wrote in the dirt with his finger (John 8:6, 8). God inscribed the stone tablets for Moses with his finger (Exodus 31:18). The creator of all that exists used words to speak that creation into existence. The words you hold in your hands each time you open your Bible are “God-breathed.”

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

—2 Timothy 3:16, NIV-1978

As one created in God’s image we reflect who God is. God is a writer, a communicator, an artist who paints with words, and he does so with a purpose.

“… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

—Isaiah 55:10-11, NIV-1978

You are a writer because you are created in the image of God who is a writer. You are creative because God is creative. You burn to tell your story because God burns to tell his story.

You teach. You inspire. You communicate thoughts and ideas. You mold and shape the culture of your audience—all of this a testimony to the fact that you are a writer created in the image of a creative God.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

—1 Chronicles 16:23-25, NIV-1978

And as you sing to God with your pen, or with your keyboard, remember this:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

 —Psalm 115:1, NIV-1978

 

About Damon J. Gray 4 Articles
Damon J. Gray is a writer, speaker, former pastor, and Director of Communications for Inspire Christian Writers. Damon pursues his passion for teaching, making disciples, and advancing the kingdom of Jesus Christ, by calling on men and women to embrace Long-View Living in a Short-View World. www.damonjgray.org/

6 Comments

  1. Very moving and thought provoking. Those words ring deep and true about writing for Him and His message through us. Thank you for sharing.

  2. Damon, I agree about not being able to not write. I also like the verse: “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.” Psalm 45:1
    The king being the Lord!!

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