Grab Your Scroll
by Paul Linzey
“I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet saying, ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea’”
Lloyd John Ogilvie is a tremendous communicator, an outstanding preacher who used his speaking skills in his Los Angeles congregation and on the radio. Because of his influence, in 1995 he was elected chaplain of the United States Senate, where he served thirteen years. He considered the chaplaincy to be a non-political, non-partisan ministry. In his words, “I saw my role as chaplain to be an intercessor for the members of the Senate family, a trusted prayer partner, and a faithful counselor to them as they sought to know and do God’s will in the monumental responsibilities entrusted to them.”
As effective as he is in person, he has reached more people through his writings than through his public speaking, publishing fifty-four books, and editing a commentary series.
The Lord’s commissioning of wordsmiths didn’t end with the apostle John in Revelation chapter one. God continues to share His message. As He purposed Ogilvie, the Lord also calls writers like us. He equips us to communicate with words through a variety of genres. As novelists, poets, and nonfiction authors alike, we enjoy the opportunity to share His truth. Even shorter information from bloggers and tweeters can transmit powerful words God wants to share. He speaks in different ways through different people, all partnering in the story of His love.
When blessed with a vision of words to share, we can embrace our commission with the enthusiasm of John and Ogilvie. Instead of quill and scroll, we have laptops to grab. If our stories ring true to readers, the Lord will use us to inspire, enlighten, educate, and entertain.
If you have a God-given message and write with excellence, people will want what you have to offer. So, grab your modern scroll with me, and let us start writing.
Lord, we need your inspiration, so we may use the gifts you have given us to reach people with truth and hope. Encourage us when we’re feeling low, inspire us when we run dry, and restore us when we’ve fallen. In Christ’s name, amen.
Paul Linzey was a pastor, an Army chaplain, then a college professor. His theme Scripture is First Thessalonians 2:8, “We loved you so much that we were willing to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” More about Paul can be found at paullinzey.com.