You know, when you actually sit down and write these things in order, you start to question which should be number one and four and eight and two.
Either way, today’s favorite is writing.
I have always loved expressing myself, but even more, expressing myself in such a way that it resonates with and blesses others. Dorothy Sayers (a writer and contemporary of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) said that true writing is trinitarian, expressing the essence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The idea — which would include the plot, if writing fiction, is like the Father. Even Jesus did the will of His Father. The actual writing is like the Son — it’s incarnational, idea becoming flesh on the page. The plot takes shape. And this is not the end, because writing has a purpose. As the written word jumps to life and inspires a reader, it’s like the Holy Spirit at work enlivening us with the work of Christ.
She also says that fiction authors ought to understand how predestination and free will fit together. We have a plot, a story to tell — including pivotal scenes and plot points. We know the ending. This is predestination. On the other hand, we have a handful of characters whom we want very much to jump to life, to be true to themselves. If the characters merely serve the plot, they become cardboard or robotic. They must genuinely choose. But somehow the plot must be served in the process. This delicate balance is like predestination and free will.
There is something… eternal, I think, that happens when we express ourselves in godly ways.
For these and many other reasons, I LOVE TO WRITE.