The Best Call Ever!

by | Mar 6, 2011 | Fiction Book Reviews | 10 comments

Inspiration and education about improving one’s writing craft can come from all sorts of places, but I’d like to delve into a unique place of inspiration for writers.

May people gain inspiration from the Bible for their hope, faith, and lives, but for writing?

Let’s see if I can make my point that the Bible can teach lessons about good writing.

Characterization and succinct writing from The Book of John

Jesus’ first major encounter with people (where there is actually dialogue) is when he meets the disciples. It’s important to note a few things about this meeting, so let’s look at the verses.

John 1:40-49

 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

   Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[g]).

 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

   “Come and see,” said Philip.

 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

   Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Did anyone else get the beautiful spiritual lesson of this story: God calls. Regardless of social status, skepticism,  or even our own pride, God captures our hearts and brings us to Himself. We are awed by Him.

The writing lesson?

Within 213 words we meet 5 characters and get a small sense about them. 9 verses. I don’t know if anyone else is impressed with that, but I am.

The most information we get about any character in this section (besides Jesus) is Nathanael – a man we barely hear anything about for the rest of the epistle.

What do we learn about him? He’s honest. And can handle the truth, just as well as he can give it.

The Bible isn’t clear about what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree or even when he sat under the fig tree, but whatever chord Jesus’ words struck it went directly to Nathanael’s heart.

So –

Economy of words

And characterization of Nathanael.

We can be honest with the Lord. He can handle it. It’s not like he hasn’t been watching us our whole lives anyway. He knows our hearts, our thoughts, and he isn’t afraid of our most honest remarks.

If you doubt it, just read the Psalms. 🙂

God calls you and me to follow. To honestly give our lives, hearts, and words – both spoken and written.

He calls us to something greater than what we are. He calls us to be His.

It’s the best ‘Call’ a writer could ever receive.

10 Comments

  1. Aimee

    Amen to that!

    Reply
  2. KC Frantzen

    Pepper,

    This is a wonderful observation.
    Thanks for sharing it!!!

    kc

    Reply
    • Pepper

      THanks Aimee and KC.
      I’m so glad it was a blessing to you!

      Reply
  3. Susie Cantrell ~ SusieMM413

    Hi Pepper,
    Amen ~ So True! 😀 Thanks for sharing your insight-full lessons from the word for life & writing.
    Love Ya! Susie 🙂

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Thanks for stopping by, Susie.
      Amazing how much the Bible can teach us 🙂

      Reply
  4. Audra

    Beautiful way to start off the week, Pepper.

    What a precious Call we’ve all received. I love the Call to write words of fiction, but the Call to follow Him gives all I do in life meaning.

    And of course, let us not overlook the power in 213 words. No rambling, just get to the point. Ahh, a good lesson for me to learn : )

    Thanks for sharing your ever inspired insights!!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Audra,
      I’m with you on the succinct writing! Not so good at it.
      And I love what you said,
      “the Call to follow Him gives all I do in life meaning.”
      Wow…WONDERFUL

      Reply
  5. Casey

    Oh Amen! What an encouragement. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Edie Melson

    Pepper, wow what a great post to read on a Monday – Thanks for the encouragement and life lesson! I love the way you’ve pulled Scripture and writing together. There’s a new book out by Eddie Jones – Plotting, not Plodding, where he uses the parable of the prodigal son to explain how to plot a book.

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Edie,
      I’ve heard of using The Prodigal Son story as a design for plotting and it’s fabulous. But I didn’t know there was a book. I’ll have to check it out!!!
      I’m glad it blessed you.

      Reply

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