“I, Paul, writethis greeting in my own hand.“— 1 Corinthians 16:21, Colossians 4:18, 2 Thessalonians 3:17, NIV
Paul wrote letters. Personal, handwritten letters to people he loved.
As William Barclay said, “Of all forms of literature a letter is the most personal.” Because Paul wrote so many of them, we feel like we know him after we’ve read the New Testament.
Think about the letter Paul wrote to the Roman church. A personal, heartfelt letter that became one of the most powerful and influential pieces of writing in history. We call it the Book of Romans.
This letter to the Roman believers influenced some of the most powerful conversions in history: St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and John Bunyan, who read Romans while imprisoned in a Bedford jail and was inspired to write the classic Pilgrim’s Progress.
Sitting down and prayerfully and thoughtfully communicating through the written word with a friend, co-worker, or relative can open doors to communication, teaching, understanding, and sharing God’s love.
Whether you pick up a pen and paper, type on your computer, text, use social media, or send an e-mail, take the time to write to someone and share your life.
Maybe you need to say thanks (Paul did that a lot). Or encourage someone, or mend a relationship, or impart ideas, or bless someone with your expression of love or friendship. Paul and the other apostles did all those things through their letters—many of which became Holy Scripture, God’s love letter to us.
Letters leave a legacy.
Reading a long-ago letter from a young soldier or student away from home, or parents to children, lovers sharing their hearts, or families sharing news, condolences or congratulations —letters bring to life our histories, our ancestors, and our understanding of one another.
They leave a record of hardships, blessings, love, and faith.
Taking the time to write to others is an opportunity God gives us to minister to and love other people. He set a wonderful example by making the written Word His chosen form of communication to us.
“More than kisses, letters mingle souls.” ~John Donne
