A certain thrill always ripples through my soul when I read the opening words of John’s epistle. Before the sun, before the sea, before humanity, there was the Word. But not just any old word. It was the very Word of God; the essence of all He is.
In one sentence, John harkens the reader (or listener) back to the days of creation. He does so not only to establish the identity of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, but to remind us that in the very beginning—before Lucifer’s rebellion or the deception in the garden—God had a plan. He had a purpose. And like a great story, everything that came before simply set the stage for the final revelation of His grand design.
Another reason I love this particular verse so much is because it constantly reminds me of the power God has given to words. No other tool in all of creation is able to build or break down, create or corrupt, in the way that words do.
The writer as a co-creator
As writers we have been entrusted with an immense gift. The way we piece our words together creates a ripple effect that has the potential to continue on long after we’ve penned our last sentence. Regardless of if we write fiction or non-fiction, our words can point readers to important truths.
But that’s not all!
As we continue to read the verses that follow John 1:1, we see that God didn’t create the universe in a vacuum. He worked in a partnership (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is why it’s vital for Christian writers to continually return to the beginning—to the source of our imagination and our creativity.
The more we return to the Wellspring of our creative spirit, the more we have to offer our readers. This constant return also refocuses our vision and our purpose.
Why do you write?
Do you write because you want to be published or recognized as a leader? Do you write because you feel the Lord’s pleasure when you sit at the keyboard or pick up that paper and pen? Do you write like John, to communicate the message of God’s grace and love for broken souls? Even if the message is only seen by one?
Only you can define why you’re a writer.
If you’re beginning the new year struggling with the weight and worries of last year, take a cue from John and go back to the beginning. Seek out the Living Water and the source of your creative spirit. Spend some time, just you and Him. Write out your struggles. Journal your prayers. And as you do so, watch as He reveals the Word He has just for you.
Then, when the time is right, He’ll give you the words to speak to others. You can trust Him on that.
