In our communication world, we need to bring the reader along by helping them “see” what we are saying. That means painting with words. Drawing the reader deeper into the meaning of the story or illustration we are making. It means taking time to craft phrases and sentences for maximum impact.

I recently came across a passage in the Old Testament that illustrates this beautifully. It is from a book we don’t often read: Lamentations. The author of this book, probably Jeremiah, provides a firsthand account of Jerusalem and its people. He doesn’t pull punches. The downfall of this great city is directly linked to the sins of its people. So Jeremiah describes the sin this way:

He wove my sins into ropes
to hitch me to a yoke of captivity.

Lamentations 1:14 NLT

Those few words speak of personal sin leading to personal captivity… written in a way that is both beautiful and sad.

I point this out less for theological purposes, but rather so that we can be artists with the words we write or speak when we need to make a point. Jesus’ parables were often word pictures. A light under a bushel, a man building his house on the sand, a farmer casting seed over his field to be fruitful with God’s Word. Pictures painted with words.

In today’s world, AI can write and rewrite your paragraphs, but, in my experience, will most likely not paint in such a way as to put visual images in the mind of the reader.

We have all been inspired in our Christian life by Isaiah’s allusion to walking, running, and soaring.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 NLT

A good exercise would be to go through your last newsletter or communication piece and see where you might use your creative writing to touch the hearts of those you are communicating with. Consider at that verse from Lamentations 1 once again. See how it impacts your heart.

He wove my sins into ropes
to hitch me to a yoke of captivity.

Let’s take the time and effort to be creative in our communications. You may be surprised at how the Lord will use that effort.

God’s best,