In the love month, my challenge to you is to read what is called the love chapter in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13 always convicts me of straying tentacles of my heart strings, and is always worth its read. If you are acquainted with the chapter, you might recognize it in how it spoke to me today.
If I write with the tongues of poets and authors, but have not Jesus’ love, I am making noise in social media like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I understand the mysteries of social networking, SEO, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but have not love, I am nothing.
If I overflow with knowledge and opine with enough well studied proof to remove contrary arguments, but Jesus’ love is not my core, I’m missing the point.
If I sacrifice my time and money and my platform is growing, if I am eating and sleeping my craft, but Jesus’ love isn’t at the center, I gain nothing.A writer’s love through Jesus is patient and kind.
It does not envy the likes, shares and publishing successes of another, or boast.
It is not arrogant or rude on social media.
It does not write to insist on its own way, it is not irritable when someone else is picked for an anthology or resentful when someone else goes viral.
It does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears disparagement.
It trusts, hopes and endures all the comments good and bad.
The writer loves Jesus and doesn’t give up even when no one reads the writing. As for social media, it will pass away. Algorithms will cease. Expertise will change. For everything we think we know now will be obsolete in five years. All of it, no matter how innovative and important is only a figment of better things yet to come.
When I was a child I wrote on a Big Chief tablet, I talked on a land line, and dreamed of impossible things.
When I became a woman, I gave up such childish things and tapped at a computer, texted on a smart phone and touched monitor images in the grocery store for free samples.
As cool as it may be, it is just a glimpse of something much bigger, and sometimes I forget why I’m doing what I’m doing. I don’t see Jesus clearly because there is too much other junk on my screen. I forget His love is the core.
Now remains Him who died for me and his love which saved me from my sins. All the rest of all the important stuff is just stuff. He is the core.
J.D. Wininger
Well said Ms. Sylvia. As Christian writers, we need to focus on the message we are called to carry and not on how far and wide it is carried. When working toward the goal of being “published”, we can sometimes lose track of that ever-important reason why we’re doing this anyway. Thank you for the gentle reminder ma’am.
Daneen Campbell
Such a good reminder to all of us no matter our craft. I make quilts to give to others who have need, but if I am just doing it to elicit praise it is a worthless endeavor. I must remember that my purpose is to, first, love my Lord and, second, show His love to the recipients. Craft on, my friend!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Daneen. I’m so glad you found it relatable. I know there are so many areas in my life that need this reminder. Blessings to you.
Sylvia A Schroeder
Appreciate it J.D. It is a rough road sometimes, and I found myself pretty convicted! Thank you for the comment.
RJ Thesman
I enjoyed this parody of 1 Corin 13. Well done !
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks so much RJ. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Linda Brucato
One of your BEST posts ever! I love it and can SO relate to it. Keep writing dear Sylvia! If only for God Himself! He reads your every word.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Linda. It is precisely what I need to remember… write for God Himself. He reads your every word.
Cathy Chung
Very clever! Thanks for making the love verses relevant for our writing lives. We must keep Jesus and His love at the core.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Cathy. Came out of pure conviction!!
Julie Lavender
Very clever way of making the love chapter applicable to today’s world of social media! Great post and wonderful insights that caused me to ponder your words and making sure Jesus is “my core.”
Sylvia A Schroeder
Thank you Julie. I find myself so easily discouraged by numbers. I needed the reminder. Jesus is my core. Thanks so much for the comment!
Marilyn Nutter
Well written post with thoughts calling for self-examination and questions before we write and post. Thanks for using 1 Cor 13 to see how it is a living word applied to all facets of life.
Sylvia A Schroeder
Thank you Marilyn. 1 Corinthians 13 is always a great reminder! Appreciate your comment.
Karisa
I love the twist on the love chapter! “A writer’s love through Jesus is patient and kind.” Thank you for the heart check.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Karisa!
K.A. Wypych
This is such a great reminder! It’s easy for me to get caught up in the numbers and to focus on the wrong thing.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks so much. I plead guilty as well. Appreciate your reading it and comment!