Keep It Simple

Psalm 45:1 – My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. (NASB)

One by one, they slipped out and blew away. The breeze from the open car window was systematically emptying the tissue box on the back seat. Sheet by sheet — and, in my mind's eye, blank page by blank page — they flew out, never to be recaptured again. Devotionals, short stories, prayers, books — gone in the twinkling of an eye.

For years now, I have been collecting quotes from people I call "writing writers". When I have a dry patch, and the words won't get out of my mind and down onto paper, I dig out that file and read it through.

Mrs. Elmer Ansley — "I go off to my desk with regular hours planned for the thing I most want to do — write."

Charles Dickens — "Make them laugh, make them cry, make them wait."

Don Bachelor — "If I wanted to feel inspired, I wouldn't get much done. The real inspiration comes as I work."

Unknown — "Those who never, ever write, will never, ever be read."

All of us who read this Daily devotional, or, as we call it in our house, "The Page", have a story to tell, but many of us are reluctant to share it. May we turn to God for the insight necessary to interpret faith experiences, and the willingness to share them with others.

2 Timothy 4:2-5 – Proclaim the Message with intensity; keep your watch. Challenge, warn and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. You're going to find out that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food — catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you — keep your eye on what you are doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. (MSG)

Prayer: O Father God, forgive us when we keep Your best to ourselves. Thank You for the wonderful experiences of faith that You bring to us. Help us to share them with others. Help us, like David, to encourage ourselves in You, (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV), and, like the priests of Judah, to be encouraged in Your Word (2 Chronicles 31:4 KJV). In the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.

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