I have been writing for Press Service International for coming up five years now—that’s a fair few articles. I have enjoyed the heights of bewildering numbers reading my articles, and also of the opposite happening. The last few months have been interesting, they have been quite varied and exciting, yet they lacked rhythm and stability. Writing has been a part of my rhythm now for some time, but, to be honest, this year I have struggled to put out an article every month, and pretty much every time I have been late.
I realised I needed to make a decision. Either I stop writing for this platform, as I have thought about every time I have struggled to squeeze out another article, or, I continue writing with a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. I have put out a few articles that I have done just for the sake of doing them, and when I think about it, that is not a good enough reason to continue.
Which brings me to the title for this article—why I write?
I began writing almost five years ago believing that I have some thoughts that may be of help to someone, and secretly I hoped that I would be able to change the world. I remember the first article that I wrote, and how much I agonised over it because I was convinced that the stakes were very high. I had a conviction to write and share, but it was not out of a sense of anger, or a need to change people. It was fuelled by a heart after God, who loves the world and wants to see it thrive.
As I reflect on my idealistic motives, I smile at how much I thought I would achieve, but I am not ashamed of them. In fact I am pretty chuffed by them. I might word things slightly differently now, but I still believe that (as it says in my bio below) ‘words shape worlds,’ and that when I write the stakes are still very high.
I think about the words that I have either read, or had spoken into my life and I marvel at their power to create or destroy. Words are powerful.
As I put words on pages I pray that someone will be positively impacted by what I have to say. I pray that I will not discourage anybody, but rather speak and write words that bring life to a world that so needs them.
I also pray article (for however few or many are reading this) that, in this moment as you read, you would take a second to remember that which you feel called to do and be encouraged to remember the stakes are very high.
Whether you are called to wash dishes, create art, wait on tables, or share your thoughts, do it with as much diligence, humility, love, and grace as possible—because the world needs us to do this.
This is why I write.
Grace and peace,
Jared
Jared Diprose is a self-employed artisan. He has a degree in theology, and believes that words shape worlds. He is married to Sierra. You can see some of his work at www.jareddiprose.co.nz or on instagram: @jareddiprose.
Jared Diprose’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jared-diprose.html