Earlier this week, I had the privilege of participating in a Writer’s Summit that was quite encouraging both in the craft of writing and, even more, in the camaraderie of writers who aim to use words, even discomforting ones, for the joy of those who read our words. It truly is an astonishing reality that all of us can use the vehicle called words to drive messages that will build up or tear down a human soul. Whether they are words on the written page, on a text message, vocally from our mouths, insightfully from a blog or article, or rashly from social media, let it land on you afresh that swords or salve come out of our mouths with each syllable. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Prov 12:18).
One of the sessions that challenged me the most was entitled To Be Edited is to Be Loved. Now that will preach…even though few of us would at first want to sit and listen to that sermon. The session encouraged us to seek the editing process because it makes our writing the best it can be. The question that hovered over the session was, “Are you editable?” This is a heart question that dives deep into one’s attitude. Are you editable? This question is not just for writers. It is for all of us. Are you editable? Can you take corrections to your character so that you can be the best possible version of yourself? Our Triune God is dedicated to our sanctification, so the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are committed to editing us for our Christlikeness, which is love! To be edited is to be loved. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence (Prov 15:32). Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent — Jesus, your Lord (Rev 3:19). Those whom I love, I edit. It is never easy to receive an email back from an editor on an article I submitted. It is also not easy to be corrected by the Lord through another fallible human being in need of editing themselves. However, to be edited is to be loved. To be the best possible version of ourselves doesn’t mean anything to me unless what is meant by it is Christlikeness. Because being like Christ is the aim of our lives, being edited to look like him, though challenging, should be welcomed feedback. Jubilee, let’s aim to be editable.
"To Be Edited Is to Be Loved"
Jubilee Fam,
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of participating in a Writer’s Summit that was quite encouraging both in the craft of writing and, even more, in the camaraderie of writers who aim to use words, even discomforting ones, for the joy of those who read our words. It truly is an astonishing reality that all of us can use the vehicle called words to drive messages that will build up or tear down a human soul. Whether they are words on the written page, on a text message, vocally from our mouths, insightfully from a blog or article, or rashly from social media, let it land on you afresh that swords or salve come out of our mouths with each syllable. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Prov 12:18).
One of the sessions that challenged me the most was entitled To Be Edited is to Be Loved. Now that will preach…even though few of us would at first want to sit and listen to that sermon. The session encouraged us to seek the editing process because it makes our writing the best it can be. The question that hovered over the session was, “Are you editable?” This is a heart question that dives deep into one’s attitude. Are you editable? This question is not just for writers. It is for all of us. Are you editable? Can you take corrections to your character so that you can be the best possible version of yourself? Our Triune God is dedicated to our sanctification, so the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are committed to editing us for our Christlikeness, which is love! To be edited is to be loved. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence (Prov 15:32). Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent — Jesus, your Lord (Rev 3:19). Those whom I love, I edit. It is never easy to receive an email back from an editor on an article I submitted. It is also not easy to be corrected by the Lord through another fallible human being in need of editing themselves. However, to be edited is to be loved. To be the best possible version of ourselves doesn’t mean anything to me unless what is meant by it is Christlikeness. Because being like Christ is the aim of our lives, being edited to look like him, though challenging, should be welcomed feedback. Jubilee, let’s aim to be editable.
Pastor Lew