Making a Difference One Word at a Time

Do you want to do something that makes a difference? When I first started writing, I was content to write in my office and have a few things published. That seemed like a pretty good accomplishment. But sitting there all alone with my computer, didn’t make me feel like I was impacting the world. Looking across the top of my computer out the window at the vast landscape in front of me should have been inspirational. Instead, because it was all the world I could see every day, it felt very small.

As I reflected on my thoughts, several things changed my perspective.

1. I had peace about what I was doing. I didn’t feel restless to go do something else. God had called me to be a writer and I was learning the craft. With each successful placement of my work, I had the opportunity to touch or change a life.
2. I quit worrying about how I fit in the writing world and concentrated on doing what I knew I was called to do. Some like to approach the writing world as a competitive venue. God has a special message for every writer to communicate in a way that is unlike any other writer’s style. I needed to let my uniqueness overflow onto every page.
3. I received bits of encouragement from others. Friends commented on my writing, a note or two arrived from people I didn’t even know, my passion continued to grow, aspiring writers asked me for advice.
4. Second Corinthians 3:3 says, “You are a letter from Christ…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of the human heart.” Whether my words are on a computer or spoken by the way I live, I am God’s messenger to the world and others are reading.

Yes, being a writer is a pretty solitary job. However, very few other professions have the opportunity to take their messages directly to their audiences. Can you make a difference? Absolutely. How? One word at a time reaching one heart at a time.

One of my favorite writing quotes is from Martin Luther. “If you want to change the world, pick up a pen.” Since the first time I heard it, I knew I had heard directly from God as to my calling.

Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 16 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com