SEEDS OF INSPIRATION

In the Presence of God, ideas happen. I wouldn't go so far as to call them divinely inspired, but . . .


When I've been deep in the Word, prayer, or meditative silence with Him, the world sorts itself out. My spirit calms. Joy grows legs and runs through the winds of my life with a strength straight from Heaven. Colors form in my mind and make me laugh aloud. Words spark. I can see ideas, watch them grow and run with the same joy and natural rhythm as my little son has as he flies across the grass, just for the magic of being. .


As a full-time copy editor and writer for a media ministry, I could guide you through technical tips, techniques for drawing readers into a scene, and how not to use adjectives. But nothing I could share could possibly have as great a value as this: .
When in doubt, go to God. .


And when you think you're sure about what to write, go to God. Invite Him into it-and listen if He tells you to take a new direction. .


"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you." .


It's pretty clear-God comes first, then the writing. .


We've all been given talents. Skill with words can be a powerful thing-after all, God spoke the world into being using them. Jesus wrapped His power in words to call Lazarus forth from the dead. Our founding fathers used words to call a new nation to freedom and describe their vision.

WAYS TO DISCOVER CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION Keep a notebook with you always and everywhere. Keep one on your nightstand, should you awake from a dream or with an idea. Always write it down immediately. Middle of the night inspiration soon gets lost in sleepiness. Hand writing drafts and ideas helps them to flow easier than if you have a word program interrupting for spelling and grammar checking. Change where you write. If you are accustomed to a quiet place, try a noisier atmosphere, or visa versa. If you write in a comfortable easy chair, try sitting at the kitchen table. If you like the confinement of your car at lunch time, try instead to sit in the park. The activities and noise around you can trigger new ideas. Movies, television, radio shows, music, books and magazine, especially those that are not the type you usually watch or read can sprout fresh inspiration. Take your time and relax when you watch a movie. Don't try to analyze it or look for ideas. Let them come as they may. Join writer’s groups, workshops, go to conferences and seminars. Exercise, both your mind and your body. Change your scenery. Fresh surroundings can inspire you in a new direction. Go from inside, to outside, or from town to country, etc. Look at bright and bold colors, watch children or animals. Write yourself a letter. Spill your guts, share your guilt or jubilation. Share it with your daughter, son, spouse, neighbor, editor , pastor if only in your mind. Ask yourself for your forgiveness, or confess.

Ideas change thoughts and lives and create worlds of our own never before conceived. Dreams and hopes take shape in words, captivating us within our own woven fabric of meaning. We can do a lot on our own; that's partially the danger. The more skilled we are, the more likely we are to try to make it all happen according to our own will. .


So often, I've sat staring at the screen or notebook, writing and trying to decide what's going to happen next . . . strategically laying out my plot, turning characters this way or that, or turning to the market-what "sells"-to determine what will work. .


Maybe that's okay for recreational writing, but I quickly discovered that God didn't want me to settle for self-driven writing. Even the "good" things I did on my own had very little success, while those areas I gave to Him prospered and were filled with new life. .


Don't get me wrong-God gave us minds and talents to use. I have no doubt He means us to use them with considered wisdom and to approach our gift with discipline and a desire for excellence. But we are to "pray without ceasing" . . . "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." .

"Poetry Portal" for inspiration "Hearts and Minds Quotes" inspiration "Write to Done 31 Ways to Find Inspiration" "Web Worker Daily Find Inspiration"

God must be at the center of it all. When it becomes about my story or my success, it fails-because God has a plan for my writing and for me that I discover only a little at a time. .


Knowing Him has to be more important than success or any of those other good things. When the writing becomes a way of worship and a way to let God work through me, it becomes altogether different than trying to force a plot or article on my own. .


There's no need to worry. When God is in what we do, it will succeed in His own good time-not ours. God's timing is perfect, as is His plan . . . and if He is for you, who can be against you? .


Lisa Holloway (c) 2010

Lisa Holloway is the busy mom of a four-year-old and two teenagers. She is also a full-time copy editor and writer with a Christian media ministry, as well as an active freelancer. In the past, Lisa has been a sailor, a student anthropologist in India, and a behind-the-scenes worker for international humanitarian assistance during disasters such as the tsunami. She and her husband call South Carolina home and hope to finally stay put for a while!

One of the best ways to collect inspiration is at church, hearing pastor's sermon, Sunday school teacher or a bible study leader. From their ideas, grow more ideas. Do you think you don't know anything worth writing about? Think again. Do you volunteer? Do you own a particular breed of dog? Do you have someone in a nursing home? Do you enjoy time with your grandchildren? Do you have a collection of recipes? You may know something no-one else does; or, you may know something that many people do know and can relate to. You've just collected ideas you can write about.