Reasons [Not] to Write

If a blog starts on the internet and no one is there to read it, does it really exist?

I'll let you wrestle with the philosophical implications of that question. But after batting around the value of writing for our own spiritual growth, my friend Aaron and I set out to write something meaningful and put it on the internet (whether anyone reads it or not).

Four Reasons to Write


In my own decision making process, I found at least four reasons were driving my desire to write something for pseudo-public consumption:

1) Firstly, writing challenges me to learn new things and grow in new ways.

Learning is not a disease which you catch; it is not a lightning bolt that strikes randomly from on high. Growth in knowledge and wisdom is an intentional pursuit (Prov 2:1-6). During seminary, I realized that I learned and grew much more when writing a paper than I did when taking a test. Writing in this format helps me grow.

2) Secondly, writing forces me to think deeply and thoroughly.

Reflexive first impressions are not always unhealthy, but issues (especially complex ones) need careful, biblical and Christ-honoring reflection before reaching conclusions. Coherent writing needs to have a sense of depth and order which does not always naturally exist in my thinking. The discipline of writing directs my mental journey accordingly, and my thoughts are sharper as a result.

Me Thinking

3) A third reason is that writing develops my ability to communicate clearly.

As a pastor, one of my primary responsibilities is to help others learn from God’s Word. Growing in my ability to both live out and communicate God’s Word are vital for my pastoral role, and writing is the best tool I have found to help with the latter.

4) Finally, writing provides accountability and discipline.

The discipline of weekly writing assignments during my seminary years, were some of the most important tools for my growth. Writing for an audience provides clarity of purpose and accountability for completion. Retrospectively, I miss those deadlines (mostly) and hope that a fraction of the benefit can be regained through this discipline.

Good Reasons NOT to Write

But what of our provocative (or just weird) blog title? An Optical Lumberjack is not one whose only goal is to write for others, he commits to examining himself first.

Immediately after writing the above paragraphs, I found my devotional reading directly challenging my motives and heart. I'm sure it wasn't coincidence. Consider this passage from D.A. Carson's For the Love of God:

One may with fine purpose and good reason start “journaling” [read: blogging] as a discipline that breeds honesty and self-examination, but it can easily slide into the triple trap: in your mind you so establish journaling as the clearest evidence of personal growth and loyalty to Christ that you look down your nose at those who do not commit themselves to the same discipline, and pat yourself on the back every day that you maintain the practice (legalism); you begin to think that only the most mature saints keep spiritual journals, so you qualify—and you know quite a few who do not (self-righteousness); you begin to think that there is something in the act itself, or in the paper, or in the writing, that is a necessary means of grace, a special channel of divine pleasure or truth (superstition). That is the time to throw away your journal.

There is a subtle slide from genuine discipline into legalism, self-righteousness and superstition. Add to these thoughts on journaling/blogging an even more pertinent observation from Scripture:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 6:1)

These observations have a direct impact on the reasons for writing I previously offered. Such warnings have given me great pause before pressing forward, and I can now think of four reasons NOT to write that I must wrestle with on a continual basis:

1) Don’t write if it is not accomplishing the desired result – spiritual growth.

2) Don’t write if the discipline becomes a measure of spiritual success.

3) Don’t write if it becomes elevated above other God-given opportunities to grow.

4) Don’t write if the underlying motive is to be seen and appreciated by others.

All of these are very real dangers, and I fear that my previous thoughts could lead down the path warned against. However, Carson’s point is that any spiritual exercise can experience this slide of deception over time; but it does not mean that all spiritual activity should cease.

But the moment I become aware of a slide into any of these four dangers, I must stop.

If you are reading these words, please know that I am committed to the discipline of self-examination. I will be the best Optical Lumberjack that I can be. In Christ's strength, I commit to examining my own heart and motives before beginning (or continuing) the exercise of writing, and if this blog disappears suddenly one day, you'll know why.

Of course, that assumes there is actually someone on the internet who will notice it's gone.

-BJW

Oh, and Carson's book is a Free PDF.