Writer’s Block

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5 (NKJV) -  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things, which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5. Therefore put to death your members, which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

A young minister was called to preach at his home church. A few months prior, he had preached his trial sermon and had been anxiously awaiting his opportunity to share God’s Word again at the church he grew up in. Excitedly, he told the Senior Pastor he would gladly preach. Afterwards, the young minister sat down to prepare his sermon. He prayed for guidance but was distracted during his prayer. He began writing but he was still distracted. He had partial thoughts but never complete ones. He put his sermon book aside and said he would come back to it. Days turned into weeks, his time to preach was drawing closer, and he still did not have a sermon. The young minister was distraught and could not understand why he had writer’s block. In the past, even before he was officially a minister he could “whip” up a sermon in no time. Now, when it mattered most, he was at a loss for words. Instead of forcing a sermon, he began to pray. He realized that in the months after his trial sermon he had been quite carnal. He realized that he had been reading, watching, and listening to things that were not godly. He was reminded that out of the heart flows the issues of life. The young minister could not write a sermon because he was not living right. He realized that living Holy was something he had to do every day and that it had suddenly gotten harder. After prayer and repentance, he was able to finally complete a sermon. The young ministry preached his second sermon entitled, Writer’s Block.

Just like the young minister, believers often forget that what is put into their mind affects their walk. Believers must remember that the flesh is weak, that the heart is deceitful, and that the enemy is always on the prowl. We must pay attention to what we listen to, what we watch, and what we do. Can you imagine how happy we make the enemy when we focus on ungodly things? Can you imagine how unhappy we make the Lord when we focus on ungodly things. The Bible says in Ephesians 4, Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit by the way you live. Let go of all bitterness, wrath, anger, loud arguing, and evil speaking. Instead be kind, tenderhearted, & forgiving each other just like Christ has forgiven you. But if we are continuously putting ungodly images in our minds eventually that will reveal itself in our behavior. Remember, your thoughts become words; your words become actions; your actions become habits and your habits make up your character. The young minister had loss his focus because he had changed his focus from the Lord. Therefore, in order to maintain a godly focus, one must set his mind on things above, not things on the earth.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive us for our carnality. Please forgive us for going astray. Forgive us for our unfaithfulness. The Bible likens us to sheep, and sheep are prone to wander. As a result we need a shepherd. Thank you, Lord, for being that shepherd. Thank you for leading us, guiding us, and coming after us when we walk off. Thank you, for Your faithfulness. Without You we are lost but with You we are safe. Thank you for being mindful of us even when we are not mindful of You. Thank you for giving us writer’s block when we try to act like we are on point but are not. Your grace and mercy abound in our lives, and we are ever grateful for it and for Your son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

(by Patricia Towns)