The Write Labor: A Time to Birth

Hey #JustWrite!! We are in the 9th month of the year and today marks the 6th year of the blog!! Blogging throughout this time frame has definitely been a labor of love. My constant prayer as I write these blogs is that those who read continue to receive encouragement, inspiration, and value. Speaking of labor, the term is defined differently from work. "Work is what we accomplish by the hour and labor is intentional to the extent of doing the groundwork." Interesting how labor is describe as an action with intentions and doing the groundwork in comparison to work which equates to time. There is time in labor as well but it is more in tune with purpose and attentiveness. The Bible also speaks on the difference between work and labor. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." During this season of uncertainty, many creatives have birthed books, podcasts, vlogs, and films. I recently had an opportunity to witness a friend's first film come to life. Much work was done to see the film come to fruition but it was the initial labor of every detail from script writing, location scouting, casting, and production that brought it all together. It is just one of many examples of how diligent work and purposeful labor work together for the end result of a birthed project. I've read numerous times on how the writing cycle is similar to the birthing of a baby. In order for a baby to be born, a seed has to be planted in fertile ground (mother's womb). As months go by, the mother's body prepares with each trimester for the growth and the eventual arrival of the baby in the 9th. In order for a book to be metaphorically birthed, seeds (ideas) have to be planted (written) on fertile ground (paper). Those seeds translate into a story and depending on the process of formats, publishers, and submission (trimesters), the book may be birthed sooner or later. This work and labor may be different for both processes but it yields the same result of birthing something.

Many of us are experiencing labor pains during this time as we are growing and preparing to birth our many projects which is synonymous to an expectant mother. As 1 Thessalonians 1:3 stated earlier, we must be faithful in our work with labors of love inspired by the endurance and hope in Christ. Remember Faith, Love, and Hope are the catalysts. Let's get it write and push through the pain and endure until the end. 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley