By Penny Reeve

A number of years ago, when I was just learning how to blog, I wrote a series of posts called ‘Whatever is lovely’ in which I made a deliberate effort to seek out, notice and write about the things that defied brokenness to represent the essence of Philippians 4:8 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

As writers I believe we have a unique position of influence with our words. Whether we are drafting a gritty young adult novel, whipping up a blog post or posting catchy tweets, our words hold power. This is a fact true of every day and every season, but perhaps there are times when we need to meditate on the purpose behind what we write just that little bit more. These are those times when uncertainty, interruption, anxiety and yes, even fear, build slowly around us. They sneak in, or crowd around, before we even notice what has happened. 

If we are honest, we know that our spirit senses this growing state of dis-peace. It wrestles within us. We may feel it as a restlessness, or a frustration that we can’t quite pin-point (though it’s easy to find ready scapegoats to blame). We call it ‘worry’ or ‘cultural pressure’ or ‘excessive media exposure’. However, none of these labels are right. The real reason this dis-peace continues to nag the child of God, is because it contradicts the peace our Saviour promised us. Whatever the feeling, this awareness of dis-peace is the Holy Spirit prompting us to be still. 

 “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46: 10

In these confusing and uncertain times God continues to remind us to ‘Be still’. Why? So we can remember and know his wonder and faithfulness. Not because life is going well, or because everything’s perfect and smooth and behaving as expected. But because he does not change no matter the circumstances. He does not sleep. He is not surprised by current events or human selfishness. He never wavers in his love and provision for his people. 

If our world is quaking and panicking in public, or weeping softly behind closed doors, our God remains Lord. And as his witnesses – his ambassadors in the communities and networks where he has placed us – we must remain keened to his power and love at work.  Our task as Christian writers is to be so counter cultural that we stride against the tide. Not because we are clever or better writers than anyone else, but because we have been given a gift: the peace of Jesus. 

We need to open that gift. We need to receive it, rest in it, soak it up. And then we need to write. It really doesn’t matter what the medium is; whether it’s online or in print, a story, a share, a good old fashioned letter. Whether we write openly about our faith or not, in times like these our words need to be marked with such difference they point to God’s peace despite the clamouring, noisy world around us. We need to lift our reader’s gaze to the fingerprints and grace of God. 

In times like these, let us write about those things that are lovely. Those things that are true, kind, admirable, praiseworthy and glorious! Let our words shine light and hope despite it all.

Penny Reeve (also writing as Penny Jaye) is the award winning, Australian author of more than 20 books for children. ​She writes picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies and young adult fiction. She’s an experienced writing workshop leader, conference presenter and writing coach with a particular interest in equipping Christian children’s writers. You can learn more about Penny at www.pennyreeve.com and www.pennyjaye.com or find her on Facebook Penny Reeve .