Why still write?
[Review and Practice of Model Students of the Writing Camp]
▲From loving to write, being able to write, writing diligently to writing for the Lord, Liao Meihui embarked on a journey of discovery of heart and pen from the KRC Literary Camp.
I like to go on a long journey alone, to explore a strange place, to temporarily cut off the unchanging daily life and break away from my original identity.
In the midsummer of that year, I came to the "Resources and Culture Practice Camp of the Kingdom of God". Under the leadership of two teachers, Su Wen'an and Gao Lili, I stimulated a wonderful life dialogue with a group of literary people who were full of commitment to literary ministry, and also started a wonderful life dialogue. A journey of discovery exclusive to yourself, your heart and your pen. I never expected that the four-day and three-night writing camp would have a decisive impact on my future writing journey!
The elf on the composition book
I never thought I could write, but I don’t deny it. I have loved reading books since I was a child. In the first grade of elementary school, I was more excited to receive a new textbook from the teacher than to receive a doll. The composition topic of the fifth grade elementary school is "My Will". From my "journalist dream" to the "angel in white" and "elementary school teacher" who ghostwrite for my classmates, my little inner world is eager to write, write, write, because I see "Words" are like the dancing elves on the notebook, taking me to fly together.
After coming to the United States, he got his wish and entered a business magazine in New Jersey, realizing his "journalist dream" thirty years ago. Little did he know that all of this was a blessing from God!
No one ever taught me how to write interviews, so I just relied on my habit of reading a lot of magazines, and I unexpectedly agreed to the editor-in-chief to write 10,000 words a month!
From then on, I wrote freely and happily, from local politics to Chinese schools, from doctors to restaurant chefs, from food, clothing, housing and transportation to young international students. All topics that immigrants care about were the subjects of my interviews. I am like a happy frog in a well, running my own little world with ease and contentment, hoping to turn stones into gold.
Faith and Writing
In the past few years, my faith and writing have been two parallel lines that cannot go together. After I was baptized and became a Christian, I participated in the literature camp for the first time. Teacher Su Wen'an reminded me: "Where should the water in the cart of life be poured to achieve the greatest effect?" The teachers and classmates in the literature camp are very familiar with literature. It’s real.” It made me feel ashamed!
I asked myself, why do I write? What is the purpose of writing a pen? Is my Christian life mature enough? Does God really want me to write?
I asked God: "Why can't I bear fruit in my life after listening to so many sermons, searching so many scriptures, and reading so many books?" "Why can't I write a testimony of life?"
When I came to the writing camp again, I took the class of Teacher Chen Huiwan for the first time. She said: "If I make you feel that it is too far away and too difficult to achieve, I will be a failed teacher! My purpose is to help you on your way! ... ..." I knew in my heart that Teacher Chen was trying hard to help me. She advised us: "Don't look at your shortcomings, don't stop at your hobbies, and have a higher sense of mission to support it. That is the urging of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Just write! As long as there is a way ahead, we rely on this stupidity! ...Be a missionary who uses words to preach the gospel and never give up the pen..."
Open spiritual eyes
I believe that most people, including myself, write to fulfill an “unfinished dream.” However, the purpose of the elite soldiers of the Kingdom of God in fighting is to glorify God, not to showcase their talents!
When I came back from the literature camp last year, I read 2 Peter 1:5-10. The Holy Spirit shined into my heart like a ray of light, and my spirit was opened! I recited it loudly and vigorously, and the more I recited it, the faster my heart beat...
“For this reason you must be extra diligent,
To faith must be added virtue;
To virtue must be added knowledge;
To knowledge must be added temperance;
To temperance, add patience;
To patience must be added piety;
To godliness must be added brotherly love;
With love for brothers,
Add to this love for all.
If you have these things in sufficient abundance,
will bring you to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
He will not be idle and unfruitful.
If a person does not have these things, he is blind.
I only see what’s nearby,
Forgetting that his old sins have been cleansed.
Therefore, brothers, you should be more diligent,
Make your calling and election sure.
If you do these few things, you will never stumble. "
This passage caught my attention. I read it several times and meditated while reciting it. I felt as if I had never read this passage before, and only now did I understand the true meaning!
"To write, you must first correct your heart." I want to write for God, but there are many obstacles, because my moral character has not changed, my heart has not been corrected; I am late for church and not alert; I am not serious about pursuing the Bible; I am not serious about diet, He is not restrained in his possessions; he is not patient enough with his children and often loses his temper; he does not take the holiness required by God seriously... I see myself like a naughty little girl who only needs grace and no discipline.
Ask God to give me light, and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten my deepest desires. I want to write, but I don’t have the ability to climb up on my own. I sincerely believe that God has a personal and intimate relationship with each person and that He personally speaks to each uncertain heart in a unique way.
Why do I still write? Because I am a creature, He is the Creator, and this world is an exquisite stage play designed by God, which He calls “very good”! Everything He has created requires us to step forward with faith to respond, to explore, and to speak out to the world. Only in this way can we live a true life!
Therefore, I still want to write; in my family, in my work, in the love of the Lord, in my spiritual life, I will write the song of my life to Jesus Christ, the Lord who loves me and who laid down his life for the world. Praise and thanksgiving!