When it comes to Christian blogging, Tim Challies is pretty much the gold standard (my opinion). I’ve been following him for years on and off, and one of the most important things I’ve learned from him is consistency. He’s got his thing, and he’s really good at it — one of those talents that can write books…and he has.
Early on in my reading his work I discovered that one of the goals he set in the beginning was to put something up every day. That’s part of why I do the same. I’ve known people who have done blog-writing in the past, and then kind of disappeared, and I think that’s why any particular blog will die. People won’t come back to it if there isn’t anything new to look at.
But then again, I’m not really in it to build the following. I may be consistent in my posting (I’ve only missed one day in the past year and a half), but I’m not consistent in my subject matter or quality. Just look at my stuff. It’s all over the place. There are days when I’m obviously mailing it in, and then there are days where I will ramble on for paragraphs (well, at least I know what I’m getting at). I’m thankful for the one or two of you who check in regularly, and even more so for the ones (one) who comments. I’m kind of caught in the middle there. I left Facebook because I wanted something deeper than the (mostly) mindless one-line competitions for pith in which many people engage, but at least there was some interaction there. Facebook makes it easier…but it comes with far too much baggage for peace of mind.
And yet, I keep plugging on. In part because I’m stubborn. In part because I see value in forming creative habits. In part because writing is important to me. It’s a hobby…but it’s a privilege too. I feel blessed that I’m able to do it, even if people don’t read it. I think I’m my own biggest fan. Just yesterday, I was looking for something I was thinking about in the past and had to go through about a half-dozen of my previous writings to do it, and when I did I couldn’t help but see the quality in what I was saying. Not that it was any good to anyone else, but that it made sense to me. It got my point across to me, and that’s part of the point in my even writing — to formulate my own thoughts and try to come up with something coherent. Yeah, I saw a few spots where I could tell my own assumptions may have confused others reading it at the time, but in general, I could live with it. I could even see someday putting together a collection of my own stuff (heavily rewritten and edited — the benefit of longer experience writing here), if only to leave a mark somewhere when this blog has long since moved on.
So when I read this article that Challies wrote back in 2019 (and recently reposted), it got me thinking. Especially since it gave me a contrast with what I’d done in the past. It really didn’t catch my eye three years ago because I’d not considered blogging at that time. Having the experience of the past year and a half though, it’s got my attention now. I appreciate his perspective on developing relationships with the readers (although I have so few — and most of them already people with whom I enjoy deep, personal relationships anyway), but was even more drawn to his other points: “you have freedom to cover any topic,” “you don’t have to play it safe,” you don’t have to swing for the fences.” Yeah. There’s a freedom here to just be yourself and say what you have to say. Sure, I temper my thoughts at times — hoping to help others understand by not lobbing what could be considered “grenades” into my stuff — but generally, I write what I write — what I’m thinking. But I try to be as gentle as I can, and especially open to and respectful of what anyone has to say about it. There’s certainly a freedom in choosing not to be offended.
I’ve speculated a few times recently as to what I should do here in the future. Articles like that written by Challies are helpful in making my decision, if only to encourage me to keep going. Something good will come of it, if only for my own well-being and peace of mind. And that’s as good a place to start as any…
I write in my journal every day. I’ve filled 27 books. Some days are diamonds, some days are coal.
destined for the Smithsonian someday, I’m sure…
Hahaha only if future generations are curious about my sleep patterns, my dreams and what I found in the thrift store.