use your words

A friend asked me the other day why I like to write. It was a simple enough question, and at the time I thought I gave a simple enough answer, which was something like, “I don’t know, I’ve just always kept a journal, and writing helps me get all my thoughts together in one place…” I don’t think there is anything wrong with my answer, because both of those things are still true—I am just a much better communicator in writing than in any other medium. But even in the few minutes after I said it, I knew there was so much more to that question that I wanted to say.

Why do we write? I have no doubt that the answer to this question could change every week I tried to answer it. But for right now, I keep coming back to two things.

We write because words are powerful. Words can make your day or ruin it. Words can encourage or tear down. Words can be sincere or artificial. Words can make you laugh or make you cry. You can use your words to say too much, or not say enough.

We write because we really are all so similar with all of our differences. When we write, our desire is to put some sort of metaphorical, understandable spin on the commonalities of being human. And our writing is simply our spin, our opinions and viewpoints; never, ever, would we claim to have the final word on something, we just happen to enjoy the process of putting any words on anything that is on our hearts. I love Albert Camus’ thoughts on this aspect of writing:

“[The writer] has only to translate the sufferings and happiness of all into the language of all and he will be universally understood. As a reward for being absolutely faithful to reality, he will achieve complete communication among men. This ideal of universal communication is indeed the ideal of any great writer… For what is there more real, for instance, in our universe than a man’s life, and how can we hope to preserve it better than in our realistic writing?” - “Create Dangerously”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

And finally, we write because it reminds us who we are. I spend a great deal of time reflecting on something and spinning it into “my language,” but in the process I am forced to focus on not just the creative semantics, but the actual meaning behind what I am writing. What I have learned through the intentional focus of the writing process is this: the words I am CAPABLE of putting on paper are gentle pointers to how INCAPABLE I am to living up to them without Jesus. I write about loving selflessly, listening well, focusing on what matters and living honestly. I fail to do these things each and every day. But I keep writing about the things I want to be, as God gently gives me the words to remind me.

For all of us, I hope that our words, spoken or written, are thought about before said.

I hope that our words bring life and joy and smiles to others.

I hope that our words teach and do not discourage.

I hope that today, we use our words for something really, really good. Write a note, send a text, make a phone call. Mama meant it when she taught you to, "Use your words."