Born to Write

I just finished reading a phrase about a pastor and author from centuries ago that struck a chord with me. The sentence read, "he was born to write." That is how I feel. On a day like today when I have had time in the office to pray and reflect all I have wanted to do is to write.

The power of writing words is addictive to me. I have written many times I cannot remember a time in my life when I did not love to write or want to be a writer. One of the greatest days in my life is the day when God revealed that my life long love of writing could still be cultivated along side my call to preach. I am a man born to write and to preach.

With the written word a person can be encouraged, rebuked, challenged, inspired, broken, educated, motivated, burdened, entertained and many other things. Along with my great love for writing is my great love for reading. I have well over seven thousand volumes all sitting in storage boxes until I am able to get book shelves in my office. The power of written word is incomprehensible. I love that word. It is as fun to write as to say.

Many people have to have the perfect conditions for writing. A secluded luxury office with a scenic overlook. I have written in cafes, RV's, tents, hotels, offices, my living room, on air planes, buses, crowded airpots, on beaches, in the mountains and even in foreign countries. Writing is in my DNA. I have to write just as I have to breathe. It is what God made me to do.  I have written on such things as prayer, faith, devotion to God, revival and hope for the troubled heart. Most everyday as I just live life I find topics to explore and let the creative juices flow in writing.

This morning I encountered a broken hearted mother who did not get to see her children on Mother's Day. I also ran across someone enamored with their physical appearance. I exchanged pleasantries with a man while walking into the Post Office. For much of the day I have been consumed with thinking about the scriptures, reading books and writing.

[Eph 2:10] "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

My interpretation of this verse is simple. You were born to do something. God created you with a purpose in mind. Mine just happens to be writing. Few things in life give me more satisfaction than the process of writing, holding a new book I have written, or hearing  that God used something He gave me to write to help somebody. I was born to write. Josh Hamilton was born to swing to a baseball bat. Kevin Durant was born to shoot and dunk a basketball. Bill McCartney was born to coach and lead men. Bruce Wilkinson was born to inspire faith through preaching and writing. John Maxwell was born to train leaders.

What were you born to do? I remember sitting over breakfast one morning with a very successful banker. The only trouble was he felt restless and not sure he had ever really sought God about banking. He wanted to know what God had created him for. He taught Sunday School and faithfully served at his church but he did not know for sure what God had created him to do. In a huge step of faith he resigned his job and began a serious quest to discover his purpose. Guess where he landed. Back in banking. He had it right all along.

Some were born for sales or business ventures. Some were born to coach. Many were born to educate. Some were created to enforce the law on the streets and in the court rooms. There are some born to entertain through singing and writing beautiful music. I know men who find the perfect day to be one seated in the cab of a tractor planting cotton. I was born to write and preach. Not the most exciting life to some but a source of great contentment for me.

Before this day ends I want you to ask yourself this question, "What was I born to do?" You may not get the answer today especially if you are still in school. That is okay. Just don't forget to ask yourself this question. Many never think about it. They just go to work and earn a paycheck. They may not enjoy what they do but out of duty the keep doing it. We were created for more than duty. I find great delight in what I do. I was born to write. What were you born to do?