blogging

I’ve been worshipping and praying for a while this morning, delighting in the goodness and loving-kindness of God. If you’ve been checking the blog this week, you’ll see I haven’t posted since I went to the hotel last Thursday (a week ago!). Each day I planned to write; each day something happened and I ended up not writing. As I sat down this morning at the keyboard, I thought, “what did I choose to do each morning instead of writing?” Nothing of great importance, as far as I can tell.

I was feeling rather condemned–aside from any tacit commitment I have to my readers to post regularly, I have a commitment to myself and to God to write. Though I like having readers (and I pray for God to bring more), I would blog even if it was just for me. I guess it’s the way I’m made, but I learn more from my writing than from simply reading and studying; the process of articulating and organizing my thoughts on paper or on the screen clarifies and solidifies, making the insights real (not to mention the benefit of being able to go back and read what I’ve written).

I was feeling condemned. But I’ve been walking with God long enough to recognize that condemnation is always the voice of the enemy. The Holy Spirit brings conviction, and that is a very different thing indeed. I remembered something that Gregory Dickow said on a CD I was listening to yesterday. He was discussing the favor of God, and he said that God is just waiting to bestow His favor on His children. I heard this and thought, “God is so much better than we realize!”

As I remembered this today, I was moved to find music that celebrates God’s love and goodness. As I listened and sang and prayed, peace came. Condemnation fled. It’s as if the Father said, “It’s okay.” It’s amazing how focusing on God brings peace–always. And I thought, “So I haven’t blogged. Get over it. Move on. Write today.” As I looked for Scripture that expresses what I’m thinking and feeling, I ended up at Psalm 34:

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. (ESV)

Tagged as: blogging, condemnation, God, goodness, kindness, love, Psalms, writing