Spiritual writing prompts by Claire Musters

The joy of meeting author Sharon Brown (left).

Last week I had the enormous pleasure of meeting Sharon Brown for the first time. She is the author of a series of fictional books that have had a huge spiritual impact on me – as well as thousands of others. The Sensible Shoes series is about four women from very different backgrounds who meet at a retreat. Readers learn spiritual disciplines as they do and also read how their lives intertwine and they work out how to use the disciplines in the ups and downs of their own lives. 

During the evening, Sharon focused on us knowing that we are God’s beloved, and how that needs to be foundational in our lives. As we rest and receive that love we are able to respond – but only then.

There were different spiritual exercises that Sharon got us to engage with and, as I reflected on them afterwards, I realised how much they involved our imaginations – and writing. 

So much of our writing is done for the benefit of others: be it for academic papers, magazine articles, poetry or books. So, in honour of Sharon’s incredible gift of being able to draw us into a story, make us invest in the characters, but also be challenged and transformed spiritually ourselves, I want to share some spiritual writing prompts here. Why not take one to ponder, reflect and write about today?

God longs for you to dwell in his love, to make his home there. 

What would a hospitable place where you are welcomed in exactly the way you long to be look like? Take time imagining it, and then create a written description.

Ask God what it means that he welcomes you in the most lavish way. Again, imagine the scene and then write it down. Sharon made these suggestions: perhaps it involves God saying your name, setting a table before you with your favourite food (describe each of those). Know that you have his undivided attention and he is waiting to hear your heart – what you long for, but also what you doubt. Perhaps you could write down those things?

What would it mean to be awake to God all the time? 

Too often we are on auto pilot even with God. When he tries to get our attention we say ‘yeah yeah I see God’. He wants us to turn around and really see him with our eyes.

We can learn to be aware in the everyday and ‘take off our shoes’ when we recognise his holiness around us.

What is God going to use to wake you up?

Ask God to help you be more aware of his presence and keep a note of when you are throughout the day. Look at what you have recorded and then write a response.

Claire is a freelance writer, speaker and editor, mum to two gorgeous children, pastor’s wife, worship leader and school governor. Her books include Taking off the mask: daring to be the person God created you to be, Cover to Cover: Ezekiel A prophet for all times, Cover to Cover: 1–3 John: Walking in the truth, Cover to Cover: David: A man after God's own heart, Insight Into Managing Conflict, Insight Into Self-acceptance and Insight Into Burnout. Her latest edition to the Insight Guides series, An Insight into Shame, was published in May. She also writes Bible study notes and magazine articles. To find out more about her, please visit www.clairemusters.com  and @CMusters on Twitter.