Writing about God

The Disciples, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Nathan, David, Gad, Solomon, Isaiah, the Prophets, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, all the others of the Bible, and the writers throughout time from cave drawings, stone carvings, papyrus, paper, and this digital document—why were they driven, called, given purpose to tell the stories of God and life? Every man and woman has a testimony, an adventure, a sorrow, an exaltation, a gratefulness to God to tell. Even the atheist is possessed to write his denial of God. Why?

Why did my Grandfather write poetry about God, love, and faith? Why did he love sitting whittling with me and telling me about God and life? Why must the storyteller tell his story repeatedly to anyone who will listen? Why do historians record the events that passed them by, or they had read from another recorder of time? Why do I wake in the pre-dawn hours, sit hunched over this laptop, and unconsciously write what was in my dreams or flows from me?

I awoke with this query about what I am doing; why did I suddenly start this journal in 2018? Why did I feel compelled to photograph every wonder I saw since boyhood? Why did my mother capture every moment she could with her eight-millimeter movie camera? Filled with ideas and questions from the night’s dreams and visions, I woke and ran to this keyboard. The bottom of my screen says 767,112 words, 4,136,808 characters, and 1,768 pages.

And not until this morning did I ponder what I was doing. It could be something to offer our sons for guidance, for I did not tell them the good news as boys. I did not tell them the history of their blood. I did not question; I started writing. The stories and testimonies did not see the light of day until 2021 when a friend gave me a sharing platform, a website. In January, the photographs and videos I captured lay in storage until January this year. In my dream last night, God revealed why; it was right in front of me all along—

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” — Mark 5:19

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.—Revelation 12:11

Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.—1 John 5:10

Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.—John 8:14

And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.—John 15:27

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble—Psalm 107:1-2

And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.—1 John 5:11

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.—John 15:26

I question my writings, photographs, and videos’ value to date. Stories about the things I have encountered, challenges met, houses and buildings built, travels and journeys, adventures experienced, addictions overcome, sorrows experienced, and life failures—stories of my life. This morning God revealed that it is all a testimony to Him; God was in every moment; I just never really knew until now.

The challenge of understanding writing, photography, videography, construction, and all things forced and not given in my life has been God teaching and equipping me for what I am about to do. I am uncertain about tomorrow’s mission and purpose but filled with confidence. I will continue on the path assigned. I am the incompetent one God is not—I can do all things through Christ Jesus.

Even in the buildings we build, we write scripture on the structural boards. In the videos, I quote scripture; photography comes easiest of all—God does all the work. The writing is raw from the heart, yet nothing could be written if God did not provide the experiences, adventures, failures, challenges, tribulations, and sorrows as words to fill my testimony. I was not born to be a David, James Joyce, Michelangelo, or Steven Spielberg. But I have God and my stories and testimony to tell. I will struggle through all of it. I know God has a reason for every battle and challenge on my path.

The attempt at the summit is to write a testimonial and produce a video a week until God takes me home. I know God will use words and pictures to help someone face sorrow, challenges, and disbelief. Thank You, Lord, for making my purpose and mission clear. We are all called to give testimony of His greatness using words, pictures, paintings, music, sculpture, planting, buildings, and everything we do to honor God, the audience of one.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.—Colossians 3:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.— 1 Corinthians 10:31

Challenges are challenges for a reason. Don’t let incompetence get in the way. If it is risky, do not be afraid; press on. In my close circle, these words today encourage you to play your music, write, and be artful, honoring God in everything.

Southern View

A Final Prayer

Morning Has Broken