Would I write if God were my only audience?


“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:1

One winter night composer Johann Sebastian Bach was scheduled to debut a new composition. He arrived at the church expecting it to be full. Instead, he learned that no one had come. Without missing a beat, Bach told his musicians that they would still perform as planned. They took their places, Bach raised his baton, and soon the empty church was filled with magnificent music.
This story made me do some soul-searching. Would I write if God were my only audience? How would my writing be different?
New writers are often advised to visualize one person they are writing to as a way of staying focused. I do this when I write devotionals; I try to keep readers in mind because I want to say something they will want to read and that will help them on their spiritual journey.
I doubt that the “devotional writer” David, whose psalms we turn to for comfort and encouragement, had “readers” in mind. The only audience he had in mind was God.
Whether our “deeds,” mentioned in Matthew 6, are works of art or acts of service, we should keep in mind that they’re really between us and God. Whether or not anyone else sees does not matter. He is our audience.

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Would I write if God were my only audience? 
As soon as I read this question in my daily devotional, I too was pondering, do I write a blog just so I can get lots of positive comments (which make me feel good), or am I writing for God. 
Do I need an audience of many, or is just one enough? 
If God is my audience, am I writing what I should be writing?
How often we do "good deeds" and expect/want the world to know about them  . . far too many people are unable to quietly do deeds and receive no praise or accolades. We all like our 15 minutes in the spotlight, just look at how many people enter those "reality TV shows".  I do know for certain that I am not after fame or glory from my blog, just to share Gods word, bring joy and a smile to those who need it, offer words of encouragement to other mothers, wives and woman and hopefully some laughter along the way. 
Just something for me to ponder as I continue to write this year.
Who are you writing for?
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Comments

  1. What an excellent question and one I've seen posed on many a blog. Often, it feels more like a judgment than an innocent question to ponder.
    It has definitely got me thinking. I will take the "Who am I writing for?" question and go into the next several days pondering what I'm sure are many different reasons.
    Thank-you for the thoughtful post.
    Andrea

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    1. Thankyou for your lovely comment - I think it is good to ponder these things to make sure you are on track and doing what it is right in the eyes of the Lord.

      :))

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  2. When I originally started blogging, it was with the express purpose of keeping distant family in touch with our life - especially those in USA... Over time my blogs changed a bit and having no-one comment did become a great discouragement for me. Eventually life changed and I rarely blog now - just don't have the time for it in this particular season of my life...
    You always have at least one reader of your blog, Jo - you don't need to worry about your posts going unseen. Even if I don't have a chance to comment or am not sure what to say on your posts, I always read them. Always. If I miss something, I go back and read it, too. Even weeks of blog posts I go back and read when I come back online and have time. :)

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    1. You are a very dear friend and I treasure your lovely and very thoughtful comments:)) I know that I have a few loyal readers, some who don't comment but I know they are there.

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  3. I had never read that story of Bach before & loved it. May anything & all things which we do be for Him. Beautiful post. I visited from The Modest Mom this morning.

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    1. Thank you so much visiting:))

      Have a blessed day.

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  4. My husband and I read this devotion together just the other day! : ) We loved the story of Bach. He was such a gifted composer.

    May you have a blessed day!

    -Sarah

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    1. It is such a beautiful story and one we can learn from:))

      Have a lovely day , very hot here :(

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