“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
Isaiah 40:1 (NIV)
Do you feel compelled to write, but don’t know where to start? The prophet Isaiah could relate. He was so overwhelmed by the frailty of life he didn’t know what to say (Isaiah 40:6-9). The Lord told him to proclaim from the mountaintops, “God is here!”
Could you affirm ways you’ve seen the Lord’s hand at work in your life? There’s someone who needs to know they’ve not been forgotten.
Isaiah 40 provides great subject matter to prod your creativity. God is portrayed as a comforter who speaks tenderly (Isaiah 40:1-2). Could you tell a story of a nurturing moment with your Mom or Dad, your child, or grandchildren? Could you show how that reminded you God is a caring Father?
John the Baptist was foretold in Isaiah 40:3-5. Could you tell of your pregnancy announcement and the parenting instinct that arose in the ensuing months? What emotions of anticipation built as you waited? How has the expectation of a heavenly home created hope for you?
Isaiah 40:11 reminds us of the Good Shepherd. Do you have stories of farm life, your pet, or when you observed someone caring for another? How can that translate to action toward someone who needs care?
God’s authority, power and caring are displayed in this chapter. You can share examples of good leaders and how they’ve influenced you. What steps can someone take to become an effective pacesetter?
I love the reminder in Isaiah 40 that God is bigger than any crisis we face. In times of tranquility or turmoil, the writer has the responsibility to bring comfort and hope. Your pen wields the fires for a pandemic or peace. How will you respond?
Exercise:
- Read the whole chapter of Isaiah 40. Note verses that stand out to you. Journal your thoughts.
- Create a meme or post of hope. Include your blog or social media link.
- Come back and post it here to share with us.
- Spread abroad the memes others post here, and scatter kindness.
Does life feel overwhelming? God determined where and when you would be born (Acts 17:26-27). He has a plan for you and will walk with you through each step. Whether your address is rural or urban, you have an audience to inspire. Let the courage you find in God’s Word seep into your writing. Seize the opportunity to pen His words for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)!
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net
We love helping your growing in your writing career.
No Comments