I have been writing for a lot of years
now. I write for a local town paper back in Ohio and I send out email articles to a
couple of thousand people around the world. The response I received is for the
most part encouraging. Several times I have considered laying aside my pen (so
to speak), but then I'll receive a comment or questions or a note of
encouragement from some reader.
Over the years I have become
acquainted with quite a number of new friends because of my writings (as well
as a couple of folks who have taken exception to something I have written). All
in all it has been a blessing to me through the years. When you write, as I do,
you put yourself out there in front of people and reveal things about who you
really are and what you really believe that many could not bring themselves to
do.
I was thinking about my many
friends and acquaintances and a passage from Proverbs came to mind. The writer
said at one point, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens
another". (Proverbs 27:17).
Now when I started writing I never imagined that I would be starting a Bible
question and answer ministry. I never imagined that I would do
"online" counseling. I never imagined that through the miracle of the
Internet, I would received emails from people literally all over the world, to
whom someone has sent some of my writings. I never imagined that I would become
close friends with people through correspondence (as close as you can become,
never actually meeting face to face).
I've been asked before, "How
much do you get paid for your writing?" The answer is always the same. I
get paid nothing, but the value I receive emotionally and spiritually can not
be weighed or measured.
Through this writing I have been
"sharpened." I have been forced to look deeper at my beliefs, my
faith and my relationship to God because of the comments and questions you send
my way. But then, that's what friends do… They keep you sharp!
So a special thanks to all of you
who have questioned and encouraged (or just put up with my rambling). You have
been a blessing to me!
The question perhaps for you is,
"Who sharpens you?" I have known people who can't take criticism at
all, can't stand for anyone to question their stances or their beliefs. If
that's you, then you are missing a blessing in life. Now, I did not say it was
easy to deal with questions or criticism, but if you want to stay sharp you
have to have it from time to time. In fact I would go as far as to say, that if
you are never questioned, then you are either doing something wrong, or doing
nothing at all. The old saying still rings true, "If you want never to be criticized, then, do nothing, say nothing and
stand for nothing."
I believe that God intends for each of us to
make a difference in our world. To be that light shining from the candle
(Matthew 5:15), to "let
your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your
heavenly Father." Matthew
5:16) Maybe it's time for you to take a chance, make a statement, or make a
stand for God. What do you think?
