To give glory to God

Thomas Merton, the American Trappist monk who was author of many books including Seeds of Contemplation, reflected: “If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and you may give someone a little joy and you may make a noise in the world, for a little while. If you write for yourself, you can read what you yourself have written and after ten minutes you will be so disgusted that you will wish that you were dead."  Apt words of wisdom for one writing a blog.  

For months I've deliberated over the question of whether I should start a blog.  And as I did so, some other words of caution came to mind that I had received when I first started studying graduate-level theology: "Do not let this become a solely narcissistic exercise," my classmates and I were warned at orientation.  I think the advice applies to writing as well, especially writing a blog, as there is the solipsistic temptation to announce to the world a stream of wearisome details about your life. 

But in my most recent experiences, blogging has been a medium of communication that has shown great promise for connecting people that might not have otherwise ever crossed paths.  I've witnessed the ways that it can be used for building community, consoling loneliness, generating conversation and forming relationships, both virtual and real life.   

My hope for this blog is that it will not be some narcissistic exercise--an attempt to write only for myself--but rather an opportunity to give glory to God. May Merton's words continue to be a reminder that will lend some focus and intentionality to the words that appear here in the days, weeks, and months ahead.