As we are all well aware, writing is a creative outlet that allows us to express our mind, our will and our emotions – our soul as we like to call it. In a way that is tangibly unique. It allows us to vent, to express, to emote, to share. Writing is good for the soul.
The phrase “The pen is mightier than the sword” is true on many levels, including the desire to express oneself in a much less bloodthirsty way. Recently I was somewhat shocked to learn through an Ancestry DNA test, that I have a sizeable chunk of Norseman blood flowing through my veins.
At least now I can understand why I seem to glaze over, that glint in my eye, every time I go to split some firewood or chop some kindling. It’s the feel of that axe in my hand, the way it flows, the way it moves so easily through the air. That satisfying impact as it splits the log. It just feels so good in my hands. Who would have thought that it may actually be an ancient genetic disposition?
Whilst I rarely hold an actual pen at all these days. Oddly enough, I feel the same rush that I do when I’m holding an axe. As my fingers slowly extend, ever so delicately settling upon the keys of the keyboard. The sensation, as each fingertip sensitively detects the edges of each key, feels somewhat electric.
My hands instinctively positioning themselves with full autonomy. Each finger finding its station, like a pianist readying themselves, finding the notes necessary to commence making music. With my fingers now poised. My mind is clear. I listen to my soul.
That familiar sense, like some old genetic trait flowing back to life, comes flowing down my arms, through my hands, down my fingers and just like that, I’m typing with voracity and impunity.
Writing allows a form of expression that is hard to replicate. And typing in particular, adds a mechanical flair, a touch of uniformity and precision, that is ill afforded by my messy handwriting. Not only that, but typing adds a level of efficiency, and in my case, the often necessary correct-ability, that only a true typist can fully appreciate.
When one can type faster than one can speak, entering a mystical realm of productivity where moments can stretch into minutes, minutes into hours and hours into a whole day, quicker than you can say: “Ragnarok!” as you start your epic saga.
Writing can be likened to turning the tap and opening the way for the built up pressure in our souls to flow. Freeing the creativity caged within us. Ushering it through the labyrinth of our mind. We gently nurture it, encourage it, coaxing it along, ever so gently out of the safety and comfort of our internal world.
Then suddenly, like a rude awakening, we shove it out into the harsh, exposing light of reality to meet its fate. Leading it to find its way out of us. We unleash its new found, innocent joy into the wild of this world.
For a brief moment we feel its power, we feel its life, its essence as we let it go. Whilst we’re ultimately oblivious to where it will end up, nor are we sure if it will ever return to us. We set it free like a child finally leaving home, to venture into the great unknown.
Armed with this understanding, we begin to comprehend the power of the written word. We begin to perceive its natural flow from spirit to speech, from spoken word to written word. And then from the written word, back into spoken word. It’s here that we see its true form, its essence, its power and its life. It was with this spiritual authority, that even Jesus Himself spoke, as He said the famous words: “It is written…”
But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4 NKJV
When dealing with the devil, Jesus did not lean on His own authority, yet He had every right to do exactly that. No instead He leaned upon the power of the written Word and used the surety of such, to speak the spoken Word, thereby driving away the devil with all of his deceitful trickery.
Personally, I think we often underestimate the true power of our words. So let me take this opportunity… Please afford me this small pleasure, as you read these living words of mine. Let deep call unto deep – Allow me to remind you…
You are loved.
You are treasured beyond the scope of what my limited vocabulary can express. There is a place for you. You belong. You’re accepted. You are valued. And yes you really do matter. You are making a difference for everyone around you. You were created to shine the light. So let your light shine! There has never been another you, nor will there ever be another like you. The people of this world need you. Without you this world would be lacking, unfulfilled and empty. We need you. We want you.
Just like that creative thought that was once let loose through the labyrinth of my mind. Expressed through my soul, my mind, will and emotions. Unleashed upon the vast wilderness of this earth. Likewise God Himself is waiting for that day, when you, His masterpiece of creative expression, will one day return to Him.
The real question is; What will you discover along the way? What marks will you leave on this world? What legacy will live on beyond you? What words will you leave behind for others to read? Your words speaking into the recesses of their minds, formulating thought. Breathed back into words, to yet again speak.
Will someone, one day, read your words and say: “It is written”?