Why Words are only a Beginning
I don’t normally write posts and post them on the same day. I usually take time to edit and refine them, to allow the message to marinade in my heart, before finally sharing it. As a writer who is growing in his gift, it’s a good discipline to learn.
But occasionally you need to take a risk. You need to go out of your comfort zone.
And you just have something on your heart to share which you know needs to get out.
As it is.
Raw and naked for the world to see.
I would think of it as is kind of a ‘5 minute Friday’ of my own, on a Thursday, unprompted, unedited, on a theme which has come straight from the heart. It’s even in a different font, because it’s come straight from Evernote & I’m not quite technically savvy enough to change it. That’s how raw it is.
Seriously though, I’d recommend occasional spontaneous writing and sharing to anyone, especially those passionate about writing & creativity. It will unlock thoughts, feelings and questions you never knew existed.
Anyhow, here we go with mine….
I want to write words whose power goes beyond words.
I want to write words which open our imaginations to endless possibilties, words which point to infinity, which open our souls to the reality that nothing we can ever describe, experience or imagine can ever truly capture, contain, know, or aptly describe the wonder, love, grace, nature and awesomeness of God, or who He is.
In one way words are very limiting, but if we use them well, they can be liberating.
Words must always be the beginning, never the end, they must open us up to new possiblities, ideas, concepts, pictures, visions, and be our jumping off point for endless exploration and adventure.
All words are but a beginning.
Like the creator who spoke to bring all things into being, and whose creation, billions of years later, still expands of it’s own accord, the breath still flowing from it’s source to bring new matter into being.
When we speak, we echo what God did then, and our words echo into eternity.
The power of a positive or negative word goes way beyond anything which can be contained or explained.
May I write words like this.
And may my words be infinite.
May they echo into eternity.
May my words point away from me, to boundless realities and ideas, to an infinite, limitless, and uncontainable divine. May they open eyes to the new creation beginning right here, right now, open minds to how we can make this possible, and stir people to action.
May they be a beginning, not an end for all who read them.
And may we all learn to begin our journeys with words, rather than ending them. Maybe we see words as the beginning of an adventure into mystery, rather than tools which control and limit the mystery into a box. (you can tweet that here)
Words have the power to open doors to infinite possibilities and realities, to expand our imaginations and help us see there are some things which cannot be fully known, explained, understood or experienced. But if we let them, words stop us expanding our mind, with the only consolation being control and security.
So instead, let us begin journeys with words.
Let us see words as triggers to open us up to new ideas, new journeys, new possibilities.
Who knows where those journeys will end.
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Love raw, real, hopeful writing. Keep being brave enough to share your heart.
Thanks Wendy – really appreciate your comment & your encouragement. A great reminder & challenge to me, thanks so much.
So pleased you decided to be brave and bold, James! This is a prayer from the heart and it speaks powerfully of your passion to write, not only as a gifting and desire God has given you, but as a mouthpiece to magnify the Divine. The One who created in the beginning with words knows well the power of creativity in all we express of Him, however limited or limiting it may seem to us. Keep on being real and sharing your heart, your soul’s desires, your words, and your life here. We are listening and, more importantly, so is He. Bless you 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement Joy – I really appreciate your support and all your amazing comments, they encourage and inspire me. Thanks so much for your wise and much-needed words.
No editing needed! Great post. I’m reminded of a line in an old Bee Gees song, “It’s only words and words are all I have…” While words may only be words, words are powerful, dynamic, inspiring…the list goes on.
Thanks Joan, really appreciate your comment & encouragement – it means a lot.
I’m also a lover of words and phrases. I agree with you. It takes the right words to convey that specific feeling or intent. I keep Visuwords open all the time, so I can check for better word choices.
Thanks for your comment Shelley, glad you agree with me about words – and thanks for the tip about Visuwords! Thanks again for commenting. 🙂
Love this James: “May they be a beginning, not an end for all who read them.” Good word. Great project.
Thanks Scott – really appreciate your comment & encouragement! 🙂 PS: How are the banners progressing?
James, I am inspired. Thank you for this. “When we speak, we echo what God did then, and our words echo into eternity.” Oh, the power of that truth. And that I might never forget it.
Brianna, thanks for your really kind words – you encourage me so much, more than you know. Thanks again.
It’s amazing what you can do with words in just a short amount of time. I like the idea of writing everyday for an allotted amount of time. I may try that and go from just blogging once a week to every other day. Thanks for the encouragement, James!
Thanks for commenting Anastacia. I agree, it’s incredible really what you can do if you put your mind to it – honestly surprise myself with how much comes out in such a short period. Glad to encourage you too, thanks so much for commenting – and let me know how it goes with the blogging!
My belief: the right words can change the world. I’m going to blog about that … today. By the way, most of my posts are written the same day. I go back and change them ever once in awhile, after they’re published. Seth Godin says to practice in public. If I tried to refine and make it perfect, I’d never share anything!
Thanks for this comment Teresa – some wise words and real challenges there. Thinking from now on I will do one pre-planned post a week, but also do a ‘Five-Minute Friday’-type post as well. Thanks for your comment!
I have the tendency to overthink things. I discipline myself to think about it first and once I write it to put it out there. Doesn’t help to write something and not release it into the world.
Yes, I overthink things too! I’ve written a lot of material which is yet to go live, but I have planned to go live in the coming weeks. I agree for sure about how we should release our writing into the world – though there is sometimes a correct time and place too. Thanks for your comment Teresa, really appreciate it – and good discussion too!
[…] you might remember I shared a post about writing which I wrote on the day (in a bit more than 5 minutes). And this the first time I’ve blogged […]
This was the sentence that captured me: When we speak, we echo what God did then, and our words echo into eternity.
You capture the power and importance of words, how they are far more than just a momentary sound that fades. Good food for thought here James.
Thanks Chris, really appreciate your comment & the encouragement. 🙂