Ever wonder why I blog so much?
Why I blog about blogging and write about writing?
Isn’t this a worship leader blog?
Am I an obsessive compulsive, wannabe author who has nothing better to do with his time? Maybe.
But I really believe in it.
I also believe that you should be a writer. In one way or another, writing should become an integral part of your life.
I learned the importance of writing from my mother, who journaled every day.
Every single day, consistently, she would pour her heart out to God with pen and paper. Nothing fancy. Just an old Allison Park Church pen and cheap 25 cent notebook.
No one has or probably ever will see her writing, but it made a difference in her life.
It was a connection point between her and God. Writing enabled her to live a more meaningful story.
Banish Excuses. Just Write.
I started keeping a journal as early as I could remember. Then I stopped. I suppose it was because I got into cooler things like pogs and slammers.
Or I didn’t want to be like my Mom. Something like that.
Whether you get published or not is irrelevant. Whether you blog or journal or scribble on napkins is not the issue.
In one way or another, you should start writing. Today. Or tomorrow. Just start.
Before you disqualify yourself with the common “I’m not a writer” excuses, hear me out.
I believe you’re brilliant and just may surprise yourself.
Here’s how writing will help you live a more meaningful life:
Writers are Teachers
Why is that? Because writing enables you to organize your thoughts. If you feel “called” to teach, you should be writing.
It enables you to piece together your fractured life into lessons that feed others.
Since most teachers are speakers, writing will also improve your speaking. You begin to look at your life through a lens of teaching and inspiring others.
For example, when you’re faced with a trial, ask yourself the question, “How can this be used to help others?”
Write it down. Your life will adopt a whole new meaning.
Writers are Learners
The act of writing is really an act of learning. Writing keeps you curious and saves you from stagnation.
I once heard Derek Webb say,
“Good art is looking at the world and telling others what you see.”
When you look at the world, what is your perspective? Write it down. Don’t get hung up on “Is this a blog post?” or “Who will read this?” or “How should I format this?”
Those questions come later. If you edit before you write, all you’re doing is killing your art. Stop it.
It doesn’t always have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be safe. But it does have to honest, real, and a result of what you see.
Writers are Thinkers
In our fast paced, information-crazed culture, we’ve forgotten how to think deeply. We’ve become addicted to the constant rush, the onslaught of information.
We say we hate busyness but we secretly depend on it. We don’t want to face the barrenness of our own thoughts. Being alone freaks us out.
Hurry is our hiding place.
But if you’re a writer, you can’t afford to mindlessly drift from one activity to the next. You need to think. You need to think hard.
And this discipline results in a better life.
Writers are Leaders
That’s not entirely true.
You can be a writer and not be a leader. But the two tend to go hand in hand.
If you take the time to write, you care enough about a cause to lead. You lead with your thoughts.
Ron Edmondson leads pastors and leaders through his blog. Jon Acuff leads creatives through his writing.
Writing is a great way to build your platform and become an authority. You may not feel qualified. Good. No one is.
How should I start?
- Start a blog – I recommend a free wordpress.com blog.
- Keep a journal – I recommend the old church pen and 25 cent notebook 🙂
- Sign up for One Page Per Day – a free service that offers you one blank page per day. An email reminder shows up in your inbox, remind you to write. Great accountability.
- Schedule the time – early mornings, lunch breaks, late nights, whenever. Find 5 minutes or 5 hours to write every day.
I’m convinced writing will improve your life. Stop reading this and start writing.
Question: Have you developed a habit of consistent writing? Share with us what you do. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
I post 5-6 times a week. And I write daily. My process is fairly simple. Most of the time it comes from something I’ve seen or heard and I captured it in Evernote. And then I develop the idea.
You do a stellar job, bro. Do you draft posts in advance? How ahead of posting day are you with your writing?
“In our fast paced, information-crazed culture, we’ve forgotten how to think deeply. We’ve become addicted to the constant rush, the onslaught of information.”
This is so true! We’ve forgotten how to feel the wieght of something sooo deep. I literly think we can’t feel it. it’s sad…
I’ve been writing constantly for about 5 months now…and you are right…it does make me a better speaker…lol…
We as writers need to fight the rush and produce content that inspires. Keep it up, Arny!
I am a Student Pastor. I write daily. I typically don’t write about being a student pastor. That doesn’t relate to everyone. I want to teach and I want to learn.
I DO have something to bring to the table. I DO have a voice. I don’t have to be a pastor of a multi-site mega-church to be heard. (I may want to, but thats a different story :-p )
I have a unique perspective on things. My perspective. I want people to know, the things I write about are not random, they are the things I struggle with. Just like everyone one else. I don’t have all the answers immediately, but I know where to find them.
That’s awesome, Chris. It’s good to hear you confess your unique perspective. Some gifted people refuse to release their work because they feel it’s just too crowded out there, you know? Keep putting it out there for us, Chris.
I totally agree with what you mentioned! I write everyday. Although I sometimes post ever other day, I always have at least 5 or 6 posts in drafts ready to publish. This helps me stay on top of things…
5-6 drafts is great. I think you’re ready to go pro!
My only goal when I started my blog was to post once a week. All my other blogs fizzled out because I wasn’t consistent. This was the only goal I set.
Since then, I have upped the ante to 4 times a week. Consistency has made all the difference for me.
Tony, you’re killing it. Way to execute.
What a great post! You are dead on…writing should be a significant part of any teacher / leader’s lives. It is so important to create that dialog of thought with others. I have been getting into more of a routine with writing. Currently, my goal is once a week to write at least one post…
BTW, did you go to Allison Park with your Mother? I went there as a kid (1986-1992). Were you acquainted with Chuck and Joan Robson? I’m their grandson
Great post, David. I’m working on being more consistent in my writing. I still fail terribly and sometimes go a few days without writing, but I keep my chin up and start again the next day. It isn’t easy, but being reminded of the truths you posted above helps motivate me to stay on top of it 🙂
Nice! How’s the blog coming along?
I had to push it back a week, unfortunately. I completely underestimated the amount of work it takes to design and launch a blog. But next week I’ll be in full swing and I can’t wait.
I just wanted to say I love David Santistevans writing! On the mission field consistency is …very difficult.
Thanks for the inspiration. I’ll work on winning that panda when I get back to the States in September.