To Experience God more in your life, you need to find a way to express yourself.

Something special happens when we discover our unique way of communicating.

When you’ve said exactly what you wanted to say, it feels liberating. If you’re artistic and you create something it validates something inside that can’t be explained. When you write a letter or email explaining your thoughts to someone it can feel like a weight is lifted.

In life it really does make sense to listen more than we speak, but there is definitely a time for us to express ourselves. In relationships, in a business meeting or in prayer, a time comes for us to put words or art to what is inside our head.

You may not be artistic or naturally expressive. But I want to encourage you to find a way to express yourself. Maybe you could start journaling. You can write out your thoughts and prayers. You would be surprised at how much you grow when you can see your thoughts and faith evolve while reading them later. Maybe you write poetry or music. Maybe you paint or create things others can’t. Find your personal way to exercise your faith in an expressive form.

I play guitar, I write some poetry, I create sermons, I wrestle with theology, and I have little notes with ideas written on them all over the place. But I don’t always communicate in relationships very well.

Find a new way to express yourself; it may take you out of your comfort zone. You may uncover some things God would like to deal with in your life when you stop holding back. You may discover deep gratitude that you only hoped was there. You may discover great ideas that God planted inside you long ago. You will certainly be a better communicator if you practice expressing yourself.

God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we probably should listen more than we speak.

But when it’s time to speak, write or create, don’t hold back.

Written by Tom Wise © Finding Wonder 2014