I’ve never taken a break (read: Sabbatical) from blogging the way I recently did over a month ago. It was something I was fighting but eventually gave in and took the break.
I believe it was something God was leading me to do, and I am glad that I did it.
The thing that made it so difficult was that there were things I wanted to write about, and ideas I wanted to develop.
But what baffles me now is that it’s been over a month and I have blogged only twice! Actually, it’s been nearly 2 months!
I don’t get it.
I love writing about things I think are important and worthy of thought and reflection and interaction with others. Namely, things pertaining to man’s problem, God’s provision, and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ intervenes.
Oddly, though, I have not written anything about this in the past nearly 2 months. Very #strange.
What’s even more strange is not that I haven’t written anything, but I haven’t really had the desire to write about anything.
Let me take that back, I have had the desire to be writing, but nothing has really prompted me to write.
I wonder what’s going on. Is it that I must “force” my writing out? That I must “make” myself write? Or is it that I am just in a time right now where my writing is “put on hold” to focus my time and energy on other important things?
Have you ever been in a “season” like this before?
What did you do? How did you evaluate? What happened?
If anyone still reads this blog (thanks, BTW), leave your response below!
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I feel the same way……mostly because Im sick of religion and arguing over doctrines, etc I figure……if it aint fun, dont do it
Yeah man. There’s no fun when arguing turns in to, well, just plain ole’ arguing.
I often take lonnnnng breaks from doing things like writing. Take my music with Knoll for example. It takes us an entire year to hammer out 7 songs, and I usually only sing/write the lyrics for 3. It’s not about quantity it’s about quality. When God is leading you- you know when it’s time. It’s the matter of using all that He intended for you to use(time,energy,dedication and so forth) when He tells you that there’s work to be done. The scary part of writer’s block is that it leads people to focus too much on what they are doing or not doing. It’s not about us, it about what He did, and as long as you’re using every opportunity He gives you to share that, you’re right where you were meant to be. When I have incredibly dry seasons, I take those opportunities to serve to the point I want to just lie down, and then He comes to me the fastest, overflowing my mind with words to say, share, express, take comfort in and live by. I can obtain information but if I’m not focusing on relationships – with the Lord, friends, and family, then all that information is in vain. I love the book of James, especially 1:23-25. I am humbled daily by how much I have learned and yet still fall so short on when it comes to putting it into practice.
Thanks for the response, Teresa. And yes, you’re right about operating in vain and falling short when it comes to practice.
Your words are very encouraging. Thanks a ton.
Jonathan:
I am in the same funk and have been for months. I took a break last summer and have never really gotten back on track. I seem to have spurts, a few days and then nothing. May has been a very dry month.
I think all I am trying to do is keep it going through 2010, trying to wait out the drought. Not sure I will make it, but every time I post it is a minor victory.
If I had something to say I guess I would say it. All I know is that this stinks.
Andy
Man, Andy, it seems as though we never cross paths anymore… maybe because we don’t! lol.
Thanks for stopping by, and it’s good to know there are others.
I keep up with you on twitter but I do not have much to say, sorry!
Sorry, but is it okay if I think what you just said is hilarious? lol
Hey, I’m a funny guy, especially when I do not try!
The funk is very familiar to me, except that it doesn’t seem to just be about writing. As a musician, I’ve been in a funk for years now. It just doesn’t inspire me the way I want it to. And that bothers me.
Still reading every time you write, dude – the magic of email.
Thanks man. That’s encouraging.
Yes, the funk can creep in to many areas of life. This is true.
I think I’ve thought more about the Gospel lately than I ever have, yet no words coming out. Maybe it’s because I’m waiting on how my book does once I publish it. Who knows, except God?
Thanks for stopping by and for keeping in touch dude!
I don’t always get to read ‘em as thoroughly as they deserve, but I try to always see what you’ve written about. My schedule has been so funky (hah!) that I haven’t commented a lot ANYWHERE lately, but I know how much it encourages ME to get feedback from folks, so I’ll try to do better.
Uh oh… I think I just caught a whiff of subliminal encouragement to give you feedback… LOL
I’ll be sure to stop by! Actually, I was browsing your site (once I found it!) just as you left this comment.
Sorry for the shameless plug
Actually, the site has been in such an error ridden state lately that I can just barely still claim to be a blogger. I think it’s just a bl….
Yeah, I can’t even get into your site man. It’s being very shy right now.
(had to start a new thread)
Yep, I’m in the funk with you. Lot of competing places to put my time right now, and the blog isn’t getting much. But hey…doing things for a season and then taking a break while God plows your heart is ok, right?
Yes, yes it is.
Good reminder brother.
To tell the truth,
I almost quit.
Instead I converted my blog (from what I hear, that is a big no-no) to its current state. I could not take the arguing and the arrogance of myself anymore. I was tired of being pissed off all the time, especially at my brothers and sisters. I was turning into a watch-blogger or whatever.
I decided the work of the watchdogs was for other people and not myself. Shoot, I did not even enjoy my apologetic class. Why was I diving into arguments on the web I did not even want to think about finishing.
I killed that funk by diving into theology. I wanted to study God in ways I had not yet. Or, at least in ways I was not proficient in, such as the study of the OT. God put real desires in my heart to know more about the OT and to study it. I feel better and I have already learned so much.
What should you do? I dont know. Maybe you are better with apologetic than I am. I dont know. You seem to understand complex arguments better. But I would imagine your blog would be better for preaching and teaching than arguing.
Just my 2.5 cents.
Thanks Don.
I definitely don’t want to argue. Sure, I enjoy apologetics, but not for the sake of arguing. I drop some apologetics in from time to time, but I’ve change the goal of this blog a while ago, and moved away from just trying to prove things. That was when it became “blog and resources.”
I think I’m going to just spend more time in prayer and in the Word and see what God lays on my heart.
Thanks for your encouragement bro!
I can definitely relate bro!
In my case I usually find that I have to ‘force’, as you said, or fight out the seasons of drought. In some cases I haven’t had to fight, it just seems as though the flood gates open at some point and everything God has been working in my life just pours out. But there have been times when that has not been the case, it seemed as though God was no longer asking me to take a break from writing yet I still could not write. In my experiences I just found myself digging down deeper, and harder, almost fighting to find the voice of God. So far, in those times, I’ve found that God had a greater message for me to share or sometimes only for me to learn personally. But in either case, through the fighting, the flood gates would once again be opened and I would find myself with more than I could write.
Hope my experiences can be of help. Either way, my friend, I trust that if you remain sensitive to the voice of God you will find your answer. Never forget, it takes more focus and concentration to hear the voice of God than the many voices that clutter our minds and lives each day…my voice included! Ha!
Thanks bro! Glad to see you stop by!
I appreciate your words of encouragement.