It’s been a week. An unexpected, and amazing blessing of a week. I’m grateful.
I sat around a table with 11 other individuals this week. Like me, they were students and for the week, they would be my colleagues. We all flew in that day from different parts of the country. All on different journeys. All at varying stages of life. And all aspiring towards something greater.
We all came with a different background, story, and purpose. And we all knew why we were there. But at the same time, we didn’t. One thing we did know, we were picked out of a competitive pool of applicants to explore and learn the World of journalism.
These people are bright. I immediately felt my insecurity rising in the company of such rich talent. Deep breaths. They are good people. They are heartfelt people just longing to advance the gifts God has given. There was no ego or pride, just humble spirits with arms wide open to a new leading or calling in life.
Our common denominator? Well, one would think, that it’s writing. After all, that’s what we were there to do. But writing isn’t really the unifying spirit of the group. It is something greater, something far more powerful than ink and paper. Something that flows only from the throne.
I must have learned 3 semesters of journalism in one week; at least that’s how it felt. I learned broadcasting, radio, and sound. I learned how to interview and write features. It was a lot for my 55-year old brain to handle! I’m tired.
I learned even more about World Magazine and what they do. Nope, they are not your typical media outlet, and thank God for that. Do we really want more conditioning of the mind? Do we really want some editorialist telling us what is and isn’t important in life? The refreshing liberation of Biblical journalism. You feel the oppression lift.
I fell in love with everything about the World organization. They don’t come with a prescribed narrative that caters to a wayward culture. They don’t bow down to demands for an apology when their story runs contrary to secular opinions.
And they don’t do this to be controversial or spark debate. They write from a Biblical worldview. Their guidepost is the Bible. Everything that flows from the World organization is tethered to the Word of God. It’s not just good journalism it’s powerful. It makes you think. It makes you want to uncover what the world tries so desperately to cover.
We were part of World this week. They valued us as part of the team. From sun up to sun down, staff poured into us as writers helping us perfect our craft. And it wasn’t easy. We are somewhat amateurs in this area. Not all of us, but most of us. We all had our work scrutinized and professionally critiqued. It was hard, even embarrassing.
How did I get there? How did all of us get there? It’s wildly crazy how God moves. With intention, he brought this special cohort together. 12 individuals with a passion to write. 12 people wanting a voice through words. 12 people who would struggle, agonize, fail and succeed. 12 people who are now friends.
It’s been a week…… I’m richer for this experience. I have these new friendships and relationships that are treasures. We “graduated” from the World Journalsim institute. We can now write for them…. ..Well, we shall see…….