Why Write? (Part 1 of 5 in this series)
“Why write?” some people ask.
Contrast words and pictures. The scene above shows the Bay of Attalia (today Antalya, located in Southern Turkey). At the end of Paul’s First missionary journey, he left Attalia on his way back to Antioch, Syria. How many people enjoyed Attalia? Only a tiny percentage of the world’s population will ever catch a glimpse of this lovely Mediterranean city. Even in Turkey, only about 20% come here.
But think of Paul’s writings! Millions have read of Paul being in Attalia at the end of his First Missionary Journey. The New Testament is available in 80% of the world’s population. Millions of Christians read his letters. Christian Churches owe much to Paul, and all the writers of the Old and New Testaments. Words travel through space and time. Words matter. Phrases hold people together. Writings come back to people. Sometimes in dreams. In conversations. In music and in poems.
Although words may be the most fragile “things” in the world, thoughts speed from one person to another. Strong men wield power with a single word. The Lord told Daniel, “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (Daniel 12:4) Like him, all the other authors of the Bible received a mandate to write.
Why write? My purpose is: “To inspire leaders to serve through godliness.” This phrase encapsulates a life-long goal. It summarizes 50 years of blog posts, letters, documents, biographies, and novels.
The next question for my next blog in this series, is: “Why write a novel?”
The written word traverses centuries and impact generations not yet born. This new generation abandons the written word for multimedia; graphics, videos, photos and recorded music. The depth and subtlety of the spoken word seems to be giving way to what seems on the surface to be a richer tool of expression. Yet in many ways this seemingly richer tools loses the accuracy and rich texture of written language. Can these new media traverse the centuries as has the written word? Will future generations feel we have communicated clearly and precisely the profound truths so vital our knowledge of The Word made flesh?
Right on! Pun intended :)
We attended a conference in Antalya several years ago. Gorgeous place! Your fiction is great for helping people to ‘see’ ancient places.
Thank you David. Because of your writings you have enriched my life.
David the picture looks like the north shore mountains from the Georgia Strait of Vancouver BC .
how are you and Cathie . we have not talked for some time . George