My writing gift lay dormant for so long. Most of you won’t know this, but I actually won a writing award as an elementary school student for a short story I wrote. It was all about the pain and sorrow of an abused boy living with a drunken father. I called it fiction, but it was more real than I let on. It was my own life, fictionalized to allow the pain to come out through a disinterested party, rather than my own voice.
I was the editor for the high school newspaper. We did some good work that year. The review on the new Dakota Motor Company CD was pure gold. Too bad that group didn’t last, but I digress. I even had a full scholarship to a prestigious school for journalism. But that when I first heard the pest we call fear whisper in my ear.
I ended up going to a completely different school for a completely different pursuit, and it was exactly what I needed to boost my fledgling faith in Jesus. I felt led by God to go there, and I am happy to say I was obedient. I would be lying though if I told you it was hard to go to the small and inconsequential school rather than the prestigious university.
Even then, I was ready to hide my writing. I was more than happy to “blame God” for sending me in a different direction. This meant I could avoid the risk of creating something new. This is why almost twenty years later I ended up as an accountant, I think. You don’t create anything new as an accountant. At least, not if you want to stay on the right side of the law. The record the past and discuss it as it applies to the future. You are patently NOT creative.
Perfect!
But about seven months ago, my creativity started spurting out all over the place. I almost even wrote a poem for my wife once (gasps run through the crowd…an accountant with creativity…can it be?). So I started blogging. Now I am writing a book. Probably more than one book. I encourage people several times a week to strive for hope, to not settle for seconds in a life full of wonder, even when clouds are dark.
So what happened? How did this uncreative accountant rediscover his gift for writing? I just decided my current life of tabulating, organizing, analyzing, and discussing the past was not enough. I need to add something to the present. I want to point to something, anything with pride and say, “I created that!”
None of us were put on this world to record the actions of others. We are created by God to make a difference, to make a dent, to do something unique that only we can do. No more time for latent talents, hidden gifts, dormant passions. Let’s stoke the fires and run toward our passions!
What makes you passionate? What are you doing about it today?
Great post Chris – really challenging. I worry often I’m not passionate enough – maybe even that writing comes to easily to me. Fear is powerful. Thanks again for sharing.
Eileen, it’s amazing for me the joy that comes in creating. Even if it’s just a 300 word post. But it builds a thirst in me for more creation, while at the same time fulfilling a deep need in my spirit. I am now convinced that we are all made to create, as part of the image of God within us. When we only consume or exist, we miss part of why we were created in the first place.
Chris – I was also a dormant writer (for many more years than you were). But there came a time when I knew I had to write.
I’m so glad you are writing – you have been a big encouragement to me.
Oh, I’m not sure that ease and passion are necessarily mutually exclusive. From where I sit, James, it’s representative of someone who has honed their passion a bit more than me.
You just brought a soft smile to my face with your comment Joan. It’s amazing to me that I am able to lend strength to people with what I create. For the record, you are a huge encouragement to me too
Thanks, Chris. And by the way, I once thought of becoming an accountant. 🙂
Thanks Chris, really appreciate that. I hope I can be more passionate, in a healthy way.
Love it… particularly the line, “We are created by God to make a difference, to make a dent, to do something unique that only we can do. No more time for latent talents, hidden gifts, dormant passions.” It reminded me of something that I have pasted to my wall… http://www.rabbitroom.com/2011/02/adorning-the-dark-an-artists-benediction/
I am becoming more and more convinced that we are too busy building our own empires, for our own purposes, and we miss the chance to be more. Either from fear or laziness or just being too busy.We let lie the creative spark in our spirits, and miss out…so does everyone else
I know what you mean, I also have had a lifelong pull to say “I created that!” and I’ve tried a thousand different means for doing that, when writing was there all along. Yes, I will write also. (And my day job is being an office manager, all counting and ordering and finding stuff.)
Oh, I know just how this feels, Chris! Sometimes we lose opportunities or fail to receive the encouragement we need to persist with and pursue what makes us come alive on the inside. We are all made with sparks of creativity waiitng to be ignited when the fuel and flame are present. To push past obstacles, whether external or self-inflicted, in order to finally accept and grow into our creative calling, is what makes it all the sweeter. I’m further down the road in terms of trying to make up for lost time, but I trust God will refine me as I learn to hone my skills and what comes forth will be of His choosing. I for one am glad you are on this path and grateful for the chance to hear your voice growing strong in the telling of your story. Blessings 🙂 x
Our day jobs sound fairly similar, in this way: we are good at them, and gain a satisfaction from a job well done, but it leaves something lacking on a deep level. You know, I even think back to when I was a little tike with Legos. I never made the designs included in the boxes. I always wanted to do my own thing. Craft something unique. Happy to have found this outlet.
I am also very glad you write Kathleen. I love to hear your story, your voice, your perspective.
Joy, I for one am enjoying your journey. It means a great deal to me as well that you are resonating with this piece.
Today I am writing. Today I am painting. Today I am creating. Creating me, not a copy of someone else. God did not make me on a copy machine. Why have I spend years trying to imitate someone else.
Loved it!
Writing makes me passionate. I am writing. Funny though, I find it easy to drift into other things as well. Today I did the five minute friday. The truth is I had been watching it, wanting to join others. I even wrote a couple of posts, but for some reason I just didn’t follow through. Today I did. Today was the day to start for me.
Tell me about it, Pamela. It is so easy to pull away from humdrum life and take the time to create. For the record, I love that you DO create your own stuff, not someone else’s. Your words make me smile, make me cry, and challenge me to be a greater person.
I really enjoy the FMF posts. It forces me to focus all my creative energies into 300 seconds. I did read you post on comfort, and it really moved me
I wonder why we’re surprised after we’ve done something how it was no big deal???
Fear is a very effective liar, and stifles me pretty easily until I recognize it for what it is.
Well, we know he’s crafty, just as he was with Eve. We know satan is the source because God has told us that He has not given us the spirit of fear.
One of my favorite verses: He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Same here. Although at times, you couldn’t tell I believe it.
It’s interesting how many of us were diverted in life until such a time as this. Here we are, synchronicity if you will, finding the writer inside.
I agree with you. I am finding many friends along the road to discovering my inner creative