the view from a devotional writer

I wouldn’t lie, devotional writing is not something I like doing. I approach it with a lot of fear and trembling. As the devotional writer for this website, I’m well aware that everything I write must be of lasting spiritual (and some say emotional) significance. I don’t hate the responsibility, but it feels me with a holy dread.

 

I start writing the devotional for the next month in the second week of the current month. It is a time when my insides curl up and I tell myself; you better just make sure you’re hearing right and studying the Word because you’re sowing into people’s lives. It’s not about you, it’s about words of healing, encouragement and restoration to fellow scribes. But most importantly, it’s about God being glorified in all we write. Gulp!

 

I stare at the computer screen every second week of the month. Lord, give me the verse, chapter or theme for the month, I scream inside. It’s not enough to scan Bible chapters or verses when I get that nudge from the Holy Spirit regarding the devotional theme for the month. Nope, that’s not enough. I have to read and study enough to make sure I understand enough to communicate it as clearly as I heard it. I don’t want to do this anymore! I scream. It’s driving me nuts and will people really do the tasks they’re supposed to do? Will they really say the prayer confessions and oh Lord! You know how lazy your people are regarding the Word. Do you really think they’ll do the weekly Bible study? Anyone would think it was my business to know the answers to the questions I scream inwardly to myself every month. I must be heaven’s greatest bore. Every second week of the month, the cries are the same but then, something incredible happens when I finish the devotionals. I look back in awe and ask myself, did you really write that? Of course I didn’t. The Holy Spirit did.

 

I think people think devotional writers sit in front of their computers with a beatific smile on their faces as they transfer the wonderful revelations God gives them unto the computer screen. I wish. The truth is, we battle through our days in much the same ways that everyone does. The difference is we’re faced with a mocking computer screen that refuses to fill itself with words. Aargh!!! In the name of Jesus, I command you to be filled with words! I yell to the monitor. Who am I kidding? I need help.

 

It’s not about divine revelations; it’s about sowing something of worth into people lives. And it takes commitment and hard work. I’m blessed; I only have to do weeklies. That’s 52 devotionals in one year. If I had to do dailies, I know exactly what my hands would be reaching out for; Valium.