My post today is part of the ChristianWriters.com Blog Chain for December, ‘Gifts of the Heart’, in deference to the holiday season. Links to others in the series for this month can be found at the bottom of this post or in the link list to the right.
A common theme for the holiday season is ‘good will toward men’ and ’tis better to give than to receive’. Such would be a logical subject for this month’s theme… only, that isn’t what is on my heart to write about this morning. Instead, I continue to think about one of the stories I have been working on since NaNoWriMo ended. The Story (yes, that is the title) is a medieval fantasy romance, specifically ‘a tale of redemption and romance’ that follows two people: 1) a knight as he seeks resolution from his past deeds; and 2) a priestess, or Oracle rather, who resides on the God’s mountain of souls, Mons Animae, guiding hurting souls.
(Bear with me, here, as I attempt to bring this tangent in toward the subject at hand….)
The Story begins on the God’s mountain in the point of view of Maera, the Oracle, as she regards our tortured hero, Zain. As part of her gift, she is able to discern the emotions and hurts of those who journey the paths of the mountain. With Zain, however, all she can see is a wall. We come to discover that Zain has built this wall to protect others from his own evil. Unfortunately, because of the wall Zain is unable to separate himself from his dark past and guilt and shame continue to torture him.
The Story, by Nona King. Art by JW Waterhouse
This is where Maera’s calling comes into play. Throughout the story she helps him see that he cannot keep these dark memories so close. That he must release them, essentially forgive himself, and leave them to the past. Otherwise, he cannot move forward to the destiny waiting for him. Once he begins the difficult and painful task of facing each memory, Maera is able to dissipate the wall and guide him to the peace he craves.
(Okay, now to the theme for this month… hopefully.)
As Christians, we know (or at least understand) that God has blessed each one of us with unique gifts or callings: prophecy, heart of the servant, giving, prayer, discernment, and more. Each one of these gifts not only has a special role in our witness and testimony to others, but also how we are able to comfort or encourage them.
In The Story, Zain is able to break free from his past because Maera diligently listens to the guidance of her gifts (those bestowed by the God of the mountain). In so doing, her own destiny became entwined with Zain’s in a romantic fashion – which, of course, is not always the case in real life – and she finally was able to attain her final purpose, being a continual fount of support and love for an honorable man.
When we embrace and follow the calling of our own heavenly gifts, the blessing is two-fold: for ourselves and for those whom we seek to encourage. God leads us to those we have a unique ability to touch. At times our gifts are simply intended to plant a seed. Other times He guides us to feed a need, or to challenge someone into a further bloom. Whatever the purpose, He only asks us to step forward in obedience to the leading.
I understand it can often be easier said than done. However, once we begin a continual practice of this ideal, I truly believe it will become second nature. It will become our joy, which will bless not only you and those around you, but bring a smile to God’s countenance.
How do you use your gifts of the heart?
Links to other CWBC writers:
- 12/1: Mike Johnson, The College Field Manual
- 12/2: Sheila Hollinghead, Rise, Write, Shine
- 12/3: Samuel R. Choy, Samuel R. Choy
- 12/4: Keri Mae Lamar, A Happy Home
- 12/5: H.A. Titus, Magical Ink
- 12/5: Brian Jones, Andeluvia
- 12/6: Chris Vonada, I’m Just Thinkin’
- 12/7: Cindee Snider Re, Breathe Deeply
- 12/8: Tracy Krauss, Expression Express
- 12/10: Terrie Thorpe, Light for the Journey
- 12/11: Chris Henderson, TheWriteChris
- 12/12: Steve Olar, Snickerdoodles
- 12/13: Nona King, Word Obsession
- 12/14: Scott Fields, Dead Man Writing
- 12/16: Pauline Creeden, Hosanna’s Christian Reader
- 12/17: Israel Ikhinmwin, Israel’s Blog
- 12/18: Traci Bonney, Tracings
- 12/19: Michael Galloway, Horizons
- 12/20: Edward Lewis, Sowing the Seeds
- 12/21: Carol Peterson, From Carol’s Quill
- 12/21: Victor Travison, Lightwalker’s View
- 12/22: Lynn Mosher, Heading Home
- 12:23: Deborah K. Anderson, Faith, Fiction, and Unvarnished Truth
- 12/24: Jacky Brown, JayBees Blog
- 12/25: Keith Wallis, wordsculptures
- 12/26: Liberty Speidel, Word Wanderings
- 12/27: David Pardoe, David Pardoe, author
- 12/27: Debra Ann Elliott, Words are Timeless
- 12/28: Marilyn, Life 101 Understanding It All
- 12/30: Michele Archer, M. L. Archer Writer
- 12/31: Suzette, Beautiful You
