By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Pen to Paper

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

I consider myself a writer and have thought of myself as a writer for most of my adult life. I’ve written for newspapers, magazines, blogs (of course), journaled for myself, written essays, and many other mediums. So why do I write? I’m also a counselor so I know the power of putting pen to paper for healing through journaling. Writing thoughts takes the shadows and darkness off and brings them into light, many times for the first time.

Writing also communicates an idea or plan and how to implement the plan.

And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2 ESV

Recording thoughts and plans on paper saves the words for the future so others understand.

And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever. Isaiah 30:8 ESV

When someone passes away, having something with their handwriting can be a precious item that we want to hang onto. It represents the powerful footprint that person left on Earth. I have my mother’s pecan pie recipe in her handwriting, and it takes my breath away every Thanksgiving when I see it for the first time in a year.

The Bible is the ultimate testimony of why we write and record. Imagine for a moment if all the people who wrote about their experiences with God only told someone, but the story did not get recorded. Our introduction and understanding of God would be quite different.

Begin writing your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and emotions about God. Write about your conversations and revelations with God to encourage you now and later. Record verses that move you to action and compassion. Words are powerful, but they are hard to remember unless they are recorded. When you write, you become a writer and everyone can be a writer.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado