People have asked me where I get most of my ideas and topics for poems and essays, and I tell them most often they came from my daily reading of the Bible. Indeed the Bible contains a wealth of ideas and messages we can turn into poetry. Proverbs is a book rich in imagery and analogies, and the language used is almost always poetic. Psalms are songs written with deep profound expressions of praise and worship, of pain, and crying, and of hope and determination.
A writer so familiar with the foundations of the Word of God will never lack materials to write about. Relational topics are also there, and the Old Testament alone will give one enough topics of human struggles and triumph through the help of God. These topics touch the readers because they were written by the Author of Life, the One True and Faithful God Who best understands man, His own creation.
The Bible is the source of wisdom unfamiliar to the world, and so when a writer uses it as a pattern for his writing, the gauge is perfect and readers can relate, the Truth is felt and it always has a lasting impact.
My favorite verses that convey this thoughts come from Psalm 19: 7 - 11
"The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart,
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold,
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."
God's Word is rich poetry and reading them makes one blessed with wisdom and joy, and writing about them teaches one to be the writer God wants him to be. Writing is like breathing, but writing with purpose- God's purpose - is living.
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