A Dream and a Calling
by Edwina Perkins
(Jeremiah 20:9, NLT).
Most people are familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech, “I Have a Dream.” When he spoke at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, I was a year and a half old. As a child born in the sixties and now as I approach sixty, I still reflect on his words—words that continue to inspire me.
As writers, don’t we desire for God to one day use our words to inspire and encourage others? Today’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds me of individuals whose words impacted our nation.
Harriet Beecher Stowe penned the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which some historians believe helped start the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln in “The Gettysburg Address” (a little less than 300 words) invoked the principles of human equality and new freedom in our nation.
And again, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” spoke of equality for all races and has resonated with countless souls.
Do you see the pattern? Three individuals willing to speak—and write—about the injustice in the world. I believe they had to pen the words God gave them to impact our nation.
Like Jeremiah, we must release the words God has given us. He never said it would be easy, but he did call us to write.
If God intends for your writing to touch an audience of one, would you still be willing to write if the audience turns out to be you?
Father, thank you for giving us a dream to write. Help us to remember you’ve also called us to pen the words that come from you. Give us the strength and the courage not to quit when our journey gets hard and help us to trust you with our audience.
Edwina Perkins is an award-winning writer, speaker, and freelance editor. She serves on the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee. She is the Mentoring Coordinator for Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and Managing Editor for Harambee Press—Iron Stream Media’s ethnic voices imprint. Edwina is also a freelance writer with Guideposts.