Inch worm (Photo credit: glen edelson)
“And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet, and learn to be at home.”
― Wendell Berry
Does writing help us along the spiritual journey – the ”arduous, humbling, joyful” journey? Please share.
Pondering,
Laurie and Betsy
I do think writing helps us along that journey, because to write we have to slow down, stop rushing around from event to event, and consider where we’re at and where we’re going. In order to write we have to “be still”. And that’s an event worth doing.
I love the words that you have used here, “stop rushing”, “slow down” “consider” and especially “be still”. All interesting considering the image of taking a journey usually makes of think of rushing and moving. Writing helps us press the pause button of life. Nice.
Like a camera, with a “focus” all our own.
Oh Gwen, I find it hard to focus on busy days, which means every day! Great image, a camera can only focus on one thing.
I can confidently say that my greatest spiritual growth did not begin until I began journaling and blogging in 2004 … God reveals Himself to me in so many unexpected ways as I prepare to write and even in the midst of writing. You have posed a great question. Thanks! Bernie
Thanks Bernie, Journaling has been a way for me to explore my thoughts. It’s a way to quiet my mind to listen for God. I love the “unexpected ways” of God. Thanks for your comment.
I believe so…writing slows me down, and helps me to meditate on what God is doing in my life. Someone told me the other day that I “spiritualize” everything. I agreed with her, and became a bit puzzled…shouldn’t all Christians see God working everywhere and in everything we do?
MakingTheWriteConnections
I love this thought! Why shouldn’t we see God working everywhere in everything we do? Why not in our work.
Oh yes, yes, yes
Three years ago I read (on this very day) from my daily reader (by Stormie Omartian)
In the Power of a Praying Woman – June 20 – where Stormie wrote:
All of us are planting something in our lives every single day whether we realize it or not.
And we are also reaping whatever we have planted in the past.
The quality of our lives right now is the result of what we planted and harvested some time before.
I have been on a spiritual and personal journey for three years (really all my life)
Oh, those words have haunted me, driven me and comforted me during this journey
Planting – Reaping – Harvesting – Strong words and thoughts –
I started writing and eventually I started a blog –
I have always read the Bible but started studying and trying to absorb this amazing Living Word!
God Bless the writers because in truth we are striving to learn and continue to learn through our growth pondering along – inch by inch
Yes, inch by inch. Thanks for reminding me.
Absolutely, yes. I think one of the main reasons people come to writing workshops is because they want to reconnect with something in themselves that is virtually ignored in modern living. What writing requires of us is the capacity for stillness, receptiveness and trust; it teaches us discipline, and it rewards us with an experience of mystery and wonder.
Don’t you love that mystery and wonder. Not valued enough today I think.
I would never consider myself a write, at least how I would have defined it. However, I write a lot and I do find that it helps me to process things and clarify thoughts I have. So, yes it helps.
So true. Why do we have a hard time considering ourselves writers?
I don’t know. I suppose I think writer and I have a certain picture in my mind. I guess I do write, which makes me a writer.
Writing is definitely helping me along my spiritual journey. My post today is slightly painful; I almost considered not publishing it OR changing it to something a bit less painful. But I feel it’s the right thing to do, and I will follow my heart.
I’m glad you posted. Writing can be an act of courage.
Thank you. So true….
Yes, I think it does! No matter the genre, some part of who we are, what we believe about the world, seeps through. Writing is a powerful tool for challenging me to define what I believe and why.
Great post, ladies!
-Melia
Thanks, Melia. I like the idea that writing is a “tool” to help us define what we believe. So true for me too.