Why Write? 3 Powerful Passages + Writing Prompts

Yesterday I was working on my website and having so many issues. In my frustration, I made a rash decision. I reset my website. All my pages and posts … POOF. GONE.

I thought I was resetting my settings, not erasing all my content. Sigh.

I admit, I shed a few tears at first. But then I sort of felt free. It’s a fresh start. A blank slate. I’ve grown and changed since I started blogging in 2018.

I suspect many of us feel this way — profoundly changed — after what we’ve endured these last two years. I think it’s a good thing, a God thing.

So welcome to my brand NEW blog. This new canvas coincides with a new project: Worthy Words Co. Long story short, I’m on an assignment to activate anointed writers and authors.

It makes sense. I worked at my university’s Writing Center. (I was also a barista, before I knew that job title existed.) Plus I have degrees in professional writing and communication. I taught writing in college. Most of my career I’ve been working with words. And I’m in love with God’s Word.

Why Worthy Words?

This phrase comes from Jeremiah 15:19 in a rather tense moment. Jeremiah is feeling discouraged, lonely, and abandoned by God. Israel doesn’t have ears to hear his prophetic words.

In prayer, the prophet is brutally honest, pouring out his heart and expressing his pain (mixed with self-pity). Here’s how God responds:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.”

Jeremiah 15:19 NIV

In a moment of doubt, Jeremiah receives a rebuke and a reminder of his assignment: He’s set apart to speak as a representative of the Lord God Almighty.

Not an easy job. It can feel lonely, weighty, and discouraging at times. It’s the same with writing. I believe God is calling many messengers right now. Messengers who need community and encouragement.

That’s why Worthy Words Co. exists — to activate anointed writers to use their voice as a force for good … and for God.

It’s a creative community and a prophetic company of those who desire to be vessels for the voice of God and messengers for Jesus, preparing the way for the Lord’s return.

Visually, the Lord gave me a picture of waves. First of all, I’m a beach girl. I love listening to the waves and soaking in all the beauty. But more important, waves in scripture often signify God’s voice.

His voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.

Revelation 1:15 NLT

I think of God’s power crashing onto the earth and making waves in our culture. I see this massive tidal wave of messengers releasing the word of the Lord, exposing deception, dismantling strongholds, and pointing to Jesus.

God’s word cannot be stopped or silenced. He is speaking. He is moving. What is He showing you? What is He saying to you? If you’re reading these words right now, I believe He’s given you a message. It’s time to let it burst. The words will flow. Just start writing.

We hosted our first Worthy Words Co. workshop in June. It was a huge success and so encouraging to gather with other writers in God’s presence! During the workshop, I shared the following three passages that the Lord highlighted to me. I hope these encourage you on your own writing journey.

Psalm 139:16

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

God is the ultimate Author and record keeper. Your life is recorded in His book. Your life is telling a story. It’s your legacy. Why not write it down? The words you write will outlive you.

Your life is worth living and your story is worth writing! Your job is to wrestle with your story. Ask God for clarity. Ask Him if you’re fully living the story he has for you. Write down what you sense him speaking to you. Journal every day or every week so you have a written record of God’s work in your life.

John 21:25

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

This is the final sentence of John’s gospel. It makes me so curious. We have such a small window into the life of Jesus when He walked on this earth. Yet He’s alive right now. He’s still working, always doing new things.

Think about this: Books take up space physically. I’m constantly running out of space for my books (anyone else?). But books also take territory. They take up space — in the form of ideas, images, beliefs — in our minds and hearts. That’s where the real battle is raging.

We’re here to take territory, spiritually speaking, to take ground for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The devil has run rampant long enough. His time is up.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

The Greek word for letter is epistolē (Strong’s G1992). It’s where we get the word epistle. These are typically formal letters, written with the intent to teach. Think of your life as a letter, a message from Jesus, written and animated by the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament includes 21 epistles. The authors we know of include Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude. As I was doing some research, this commentary from gotquestions.com stood out: “Each of these individuals had a unique calling from the Lord Jesus that included writing letters to others.”

A unique calling.

Similarly, many people today have a holy prompting to write. Some will write books, others blogs. Of course we’re not writing scripture, but the Lord is still speaking through His people.

This passage also speaks to the importance of living the messages and themes we write about. We must walk the walk. We must know God’s word. Often we become the message before we write the message. This way, our words and writings have real power.

Activations

If you want to write but struggle getting started, here are three writing prompts to spark some ideas and inspiration.

1. Write about a “marking moment” in your life. It could be a special encounter with God. It could be a prophetic dream. It could be a mountaintop moment of breakthrough or healing. Or it could be an experience walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Ask the Holy Spirit to activate your memory and all your senses as you write. Where was Jesus in this experience? What does he have to say about this event?
2. Make a list of all your “life verses.” Consider using biblegateway.com to copy and paste your verses into one document. What are a few key Bible verses that the Lord has used to speak personally to you, bringing encouragement, direction, or conviction? Are there any people or stories from scripture you especially relate to? Why? As you compile this list, ask God to make connections and reveal common threads and themes. Write about what he shows you.
3. Thinking of your life as a letter (or epistle) for others to read and glean, write a letter to someone. It could be your past or future self. It could be a child, family member, or another loved one. It could be someone in a future generation. Share what’s on your heart. Share life lessons. Impart revelation and wisdom.

New Workshop Series: Messengers of the Gospel

We need a flood of anointed messengers to reveal truth and release peace into the world’s chaos. Here’s how you can join this movement.

1. Join our email list.
2. Attend a writing workshop.

You can learn more, get connected, and register for free at worthywords.co.

Our next workshop series will explore how we can weave God’s story (and power) into our writing. Workshops include worship, teaching, time to write, and space to share your work with others. We’re meeting monthly in July, August, September, and October 2022 at Tribe Church Omaha.

Hope to see you there!

Love, Chelsea