Why Stories are Important

Stories are more than entertainment to pass the time. They are rich with deep moral lessons, entwined with the history of thousands of cultures and civilizations, marking time as it passes and changes yet remaining solid inside our hearts. Stories open our eyes to the fact there there is more than what we see. Faeries, dragons, magical instruments, inexplicable events that touch into the spiritual realm. They inspire us to remain wide-eyed children with sparkling hopes, even when our castles crumble and everything seems lost. They remind us that we have a mighty God, fiercely devoted friends, and the power of love all working together to help us through those dark times. Stories push, pull, convict, remind, inspire, change, light the forest roads, and remain within us throughout our lives.

"Writing stories is a fun hobby," some might say, "but you need to get a real job. Stories are merely entertainment."

True? False? Perhaps both, depending on the story. Yes, there are many cheap novels with no real depth, much like a tasty treat that is good on our tongues but doesn't fulfill our real needs. Temporary desires are filled, but our core, our main being, is lacking. Our souls know when a story hasn't truly edified us, and we can feel difference when reading something that is merely fluff versus something that changes us a tiny bit for the better.

A good story truly can change the world. This is why what we do as writers is so, so important. We can see this through the ultimate storyteller: Jesus Christ. He preached important, convicting messages through stories. Short, simple parables about what people understood: sheep and taxes and fig trees and the struggle between what we want next to what we need. Jesus Christ's parables are something that many Christians are familiar with today, and they stay with us because we feel the power of a tale. More than simply saying "God will forgive you if you run back to Him and repent," the story of the Prodigal Son shows us a compelling comparison of God and a loving father; our sinful natures and a young man who rejects his father and leaves home to slowly ruin himself. It takes us after the young man's footsteps, and we see what he sees, feeling what he feels up to being overwhelmed by his father's tearful, joyful welcome home. Jesus Christ's parables continue to speak to us through the messages woven within His incredible, yet simple, stories.

So as we sit down to write, let's ask "What are we writing and why?" Is it merely a hobby to pass the time? A fun tale to entertain ourselves? Or can we jump deeper into the world of true, pure storytelling and craft stories that matter?

Let's defy the myth that storytelling can only be entertainment. Let's remember all the powerful stories that have changed and guided us, using those memories to fuel our passion for changing the world for Christ. Let's get out there and write.

Wishing all y'all the best!

- Serena Stellington