What’s the point?
October 19, 2006
I set up this blog hoping people might be blessed or encouraged by some of my reflections if they stumbled across them. If no -one viewed the site i figured at least it would be a useful exercise in getting some of my thoughts on paper! So i’m left wondering – Why do you blog? Yes, YOU!
I find in every area of life i have to check myself. What do i blog for? What do i do anything i do for? Is it so people say nice things about me? Is it so i feel good about myself? Is it to compete with another? Is it to glorify God? Is it to be fulfilled and use God given talents? Is it because i want to be a blessing to others?
Every action i take in life i would do well to ask – what was my motivation for doing that or saying that? If i make a cup of tea for someone, what was behind it? If i achieve something i have to check how i react to or respond to that. In attaining a degree i may lean towards inner pride and a tendency to boast, yet i must turn that around and rather boast about Christ who enabled me to do it – He gave me the eyes to read the text i needed to study, the brain to retain the info, the capacity to articulate it as examiners require.
Anything i do is not of me, but simply a co-operation with God’s Spirit at work in me. My academic achievements, my career are simply to do with the path God has opened up for my life so i have no basis to boast of them.
So I will join Paul this day in saying ‘I will boast in my weaknesses’ and ‘in the Lord’!
“I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. “ 2Cor 12:5-6
“But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2Cor 10:17-18
In His Hands 
Maria,
Excellent question. As for me, I blog or write because I am somewhat introverted, and what is in my heart has to come out somehow. Therefore I write. It’s like when the Holy Spirit wants you to speak to someone or do something. You get this nervous, excited feeling before you actually move to do it. That’s the way I feel when God wants me to write something.
It’s always about motive, isn’t it? That will keep me thinking all day now.
Thank you for the wonderful refreshment that I have received while reading your post.
Though we know that all blessings come from God, but my human weakness needs to be reminded of God’s presence with us and His miraculous comfort on our earthly walk.
Dear Maria, I am hard to answer why did I blog. Is it not the question “what for am I breathing?”
I know for sure just one. It would be the miracle to have a cup of coffee with you and to dream in a sacred silence. It would heal as us ourselves as all around like the lifting up the Christian Cross. As you know, the vertical line of the cross symbolizes our relationships with God. However, this wonderful highway is closed until we recognize the vertical line that reflects our relationships with each other.
I am so happy for I have noticed your comment on Helen’s blog and thus I have found you. Thank you.
Personally I find it’s more about putting structure around reflection or learning. If I post regularly it ensures that I’m taking time out each day to stand back and reflect on my behaviour, and the things that concern me. I find it’s not so much about speaking to other people, but actually more of a personal discipline. I also love being able to look back and see what was on my mind several months ago (not into the years yet!).
Thanks everyone. Interesting reflection, Oli.
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
I love to teach God’s word. That is what He has called me to do. To make disciples. And I’ve found, that the more I teach, the more I learn as well, and the closer I grow in my relationship with God.
Hmmmm…why do I blog? That could be a loooong entry! I’ll blog it on my blog later 🙂 I love the way blogs generate idea-sharing 🙂
I’ve enjoyed reading yours, Maria!
Autumnrose! You pinched the idea for my next blog! 😆
I really did think to myself, “I’ll blog about why I blog!”
Looks like everyone’s pinching my idea actually (seeing as i was the first to mention it)! 😛
But i won’t gush about having the idea first, for the idea came to me during a time of prayer… God gets the credit. I will boast in Him!
God bless you
Maria
p.s. People only copy great ideas!!
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
So thats why nobody copies any of my stuff! Good morning Maria
Hiya Maria
Thanks for viewing my blog and commenting 🙂
I blog partly at least as a spiritual discipline of sharing what God is doing in my life, or my thoughts of him etc. And my struggles.
But I also do it to share what’s really going on in my life because I don’t like wearing masks and it’s all to easy to paint life easier or better than it is -and that, I feel, can make those who are struggling really discouraged.
Earlier I wrote more about local church but because I don’t write anonymously I was asked to cut it back a bit, so I’ve become a litte more cautious about what I do write. I think that’s good because we can – if we aren’t careful- unwittingly hurt people by what we write.
Ah, I blog as a form of procrastination from study… well that’s how it started. I love the interaction with people and the opinions about news.
Plus there are very few Catholic bloggers in my city and it’s a chance to share news and events.
Maria,
Good question… what shall we do.. what motivation should we have?
I have some Scriptural guides:
2 Cor. 5:14 “For the love of Christ constraineth [motivates or compells] us; ……:”
Colosians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
The “fruit” of a Christian is another Christian… so we glorify God by sharing our faith in Christ, thereby seeing fruit and much fruit — many new believers. The greatest joy of a true believer in Christ — a new believer.
This is my “life verse” as one who has trusted Christ alone as my Savior:
Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation [behavior] be as it becometh [enhances] the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL;”
If we believers do not strive together “for the faith of the Gospel” we will see the world sink into a morass.
Which we see today..
But keep looking up:
Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
ExP (Jack)
I can’t answer this right now, but will stop by later. ANyway, just wanted to say Hello and thankyou!
Hi Maria, I tried to leave links to the three entries on my blog that deal with this subject, “Why I Blog,” “Why I Blog II,” and “Why I Blog III,” all written, BTW, before you started blogging. 🙂 WordPress wouldn’t let me leave these, or they’re awaiting your moderation because of the URLs, or ???. Anyone interested in why I blog can do a search on my to find them.
Hi Maria,
I didn’t even know what a blog was 2 years ago. I originally started doing it as a help to one of my web sites. It is a blog discussing dating and relationships.
My most recent blog is weAreAriving. It is sort of a testimony of my life and what I have learned, am learning. I guess it is more of a spiritual journal that I hope will help others when they come across it.
I started blogging because it was an assignment. I’m taking a class that requires us to keep a blog.
But now that I’ve gotten into it, I’m having so much fun, meeting new friends, exchanging thoughts and ideas, seeing how God is working in the lives of others.
Think about it. You in Europe, me in Hawaii, and others scattered everywhere in between, and we would have never become acquainted without this innovation called the blog.
I originally started blogging because my folks live in Florida and my SIL lives out in AZ. It was a wonderful way to post pictures and talk about what the kids are doing.
I started this one because I like to write.I really like to write–some of it is silly, some of it is spiritual, some of it is informative, I hope. I agree with Tomas–blogging or more to the point writing is something that God has given to me. It’s always been there.
It’s a very good question, though; thank you for making me think!
Hi Maria,
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier this week!
Apparently “The Jeweler’s Shop” is still in print–I did a search on Amazon (U.S.) and found several copies listed.
Why do I blog? Because it helps clarify my thoughts. Because I get to “meet” and interact with new people (like you!) whom I would meet otherwise. Because I like to think and play with ideas and have those ideas and thoughts challenged.
My blog is very much like conversations I have with friends and family: many topics, many themes. Seriousness and silliness. The personal and the global. A chance to “cast my bread upon the water” and see what comes back! 🙂
I suppose I blog for a few reasons… it’s as much for writing the blog as it is for reading other blogs; there can be a good sense of community that emerges from it all.
I’ve learned a lot from blogging, and I think the writing process has helped my spirituality develop.
I finally wrote my entry on ‘Why Blog?’ here: http://iamhisbeloved.wordpress.com/2006/10/19/why-blog/
Have a peaceful night, Maria 🙂
(And wow, 20+ comments, how do you do it?)
I first found out about blogging through a friend that invited me to come and visit her blog. I visited her blog and some others for a couple of weeks before deciding to take the plunge. There are really several reasons why I blog. It’s an opportunity for me to share my faith as seen through my every day life. In doing that, I hope and pray that there will be people that will be encouraged, challenged or made hungry and thirsty for the gospel. Secondly, I feel that God has put in my heart a passion for writing, and blogging gives me an outlet for that passion. Finally, it’s fun. I’ve met some wonderful people(like you) and have learned lots of interesting things. To end it all, I must confess(could this be pride?)that I like seeing the blog stats go up.
Sincerely,
Carol
To be short, I blog to sort ideas, reflect on ideas, write ideas down so i don’t forget, to engage in discussion that sometimes cannot always be in the real world. I also know of a phenomena where people share more with those they can’t see. I can read and write blogs that sometimes have more truth than a face to face conversation.
Welcome to all the global newcomers – great to have you on board! I’m still learning how to use this blog (even though i’ve now reached day 7 i believe!) so apologies for any comments which got held in the system.
Have to say i’m looking more at my motivation for writing what i am in today’s blog… it’s always good to reflect on my words and actions.
Have a blessed day everyone!
Maria
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
I am not sure if I struggle with blogging or just with writing….the purpose for my writing is to bring into being the story of my life before and after my conversion, mostly through poetry….the blog is simply a tool I use to minister to others through my writing….
I enjoy the peacefulness of your blog and writing….and pray you continue…I shall return often. God Bless
Blogging for me is simply a way of release. Being introspective (like another blogger who wrote a comment further up), it’s an easier way of expressing my thoughts. Blogging for comments used to be a motivation for me until I heard from others that they couldn’t be bothered commenting. But then I had a bit of an epiphany and that blogging was a way of tangibly putting out my thoughts on issues and things that I come across in my life that confront me instead of having a mental battle (I don’t know if that’s a good way of putting it).
BTW, your blog is interesting. Your reflections on life and faith make me see things from a different angle and sometimes, an angle that is not so dissimilar from my own.
Pax & blessings.
Brandon
Personally, I have been going to hawaii every year since my family bought a time share on maui. I love it. i dont understand how people cant just go once. Io fell in love with it!
Very amazing site! I wish I could do something as nice as you did…mary
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