Write2Ignite

Just one month into Pre-K3, my daughter Maya amazed me with all the things she was learning. I could tell exactly what her teacher said in the classroom because Maya put it into practice immediately, although not by changing her behavior or applying it to herself. Instead, she implemented her newly discovered knowledge as a tactic to control her little sister. 

Her constant narrative went something like this:

“Everly, sit criss-cross applesauce.”

“Everly, we do not push our friends. Keep your hands to yourself.”

“Everly, one, two, three eyes on me. I said, ‘EYES ON ME!’”

At eighteen months old, Everly had just about enough of being groomed into a student. Meanwhile, as Maya’s mom, I kept thinking wistfully about how wonderful it would be if Maya actually put into practice the simple truths that she now understood well enough to impose on her little sister.

READ

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 2:15, ESV

APPLY

As writers in the Christian space, constantly looking for content to encourage and challenge readers, we can fall into the trap of using God’s Word as a tool instead of putting it into practice ourselves. How often do we read the Bible or hear a message in church and immediately think of how our audience needs those words? 

We see the brokenness of the culture and people around us and believe that our hope-filled words can change everything. If only we say them loud enough or to the right circles or with enough eloquence, surely they will make a difference, right? 

In taking that stance, we miss out on the beautiful opportunity to grow personally in our relationship with Christ. We trade a moment of revelation and growth for a moment of judgment and silent accusation. What lesson did we miss while being focused on others? Instead of grasping the incredible gift of being shaped by the God of the Universe, we trade humility for pride, a teachable heart for one of arrogance, and an obedient spirit for one of judgment.

The secret to an impactful message is not what we say, but how we say it. Instead of transferring God’s Word from the page to our audience, we must first digest it. Meaningful messages come from a deep well of truth, gleaned in quiet moments alone, learning the hard lessons for our own benefit first, and then sharing with others. Our words can be a sword flashing into battle or a beautifully wrapped gift that we give from genuine love and experience. Let’s be writers that give God’s Word as a gift.

PRAY

Father, I want to handle your Word with the care it deserves. Before I share a lesson with others, help me see how you want to use that message in my own life. Allow me to hear the hard truths that you have for me and be open to learning humbly from them, rather than being quick to hold others accountable for that same truth.

REFLECT

What lesson is God teaching me right now?

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Erin Greneaux is an award-winning author of five books and mom to three girls who make every day an adventure. She loves working in the garden, and finds her best inspiration while digging in the dirt. Erin has worked in children’s ministry, missions, education in at-risk communities, and curriculum development. Erin is passionate about exploring the practical application of faith in everyday life. She uses writing to take Biblical ideas and present them in a way that is clear, creative, and captivating. Her published works include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even a game!

Read her weekly devotion series, Sunday God Meets Monday Mom, at https://eringreneaux.substack.com/

Find her books and projects at https://www.greneauxgardens.com

Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/eringreneaux/ and https://www.facebook.com/greneauxgardens