It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and wrote. When life is complicated, it’s easier to pull back and disengage.

My favorite country artist, though, inspires me to get back to the uncomplicated rhythm of writing. In Eric Church’s recent album Evangeline and The Machine, his message is all about music and it’s creativity, and how we must not lose this in the culture of technology, commercialism, and materialism.

I saw The Chief in concert recently in Indianapolis. His message was infused through the event, culminating in a stripped down stage of just him and his guitar, singing the style of music before his fame and fortune.

This resonates with me.

Uncomplicated

I don’t have his fame and fortune, but as a writer, the high-intensity expectations and platform building required as an author can shut down the drive, desire and creativity of writing. The old days of writing a blog in hopes it will encourage someone gets buried under ever-changing social media algorithms and the time spent to create eye-catching videos.

It’s easier not to do any of it at all.

I’m encourage by Church’s audacity to go against the music industry’s protocol of what he should do in order to keep the integrity of being a creative songwriter and musician. I’m neither a songwriter or musician, but I learn from Church’s songwriting skills and how to communicate things that deeply touch others.

They say writers are supposed to read a lot to hone the craft. Instead, I listen to good country music. The genre’s art of storytelling and connection to common human experiences settles my soul.

It uncomplicates and grounds me to things that matter.

Stripping Down

Like an empty stage with just a guitar, God is stripping down my life in this season. He has taken away much that has been my identity, joy, passion, and calling outside of writing and being a wife and mom. He is stripping down relationships, beliefs, and expectations. What is left right now is a woman with words, a family, and home. That’s all. It’s hard to say that’s enough.

God’s invitation to me is to dwell here with him in new ways. Like Church, the invitation to go back to what is simpler and true is an art as well as a choice.

God has pared down my life without my choice. It’s up to me how I respond. Watching Church with just a bare backdrop and a guitar singing to a crowded stadium reminds me that God creates all experiences for our good and His glory.

I want to steward what he’s writing in this chapter well.

Showing Up

I’m not sure what story he is writing or how it will turn out. But I can’t shrink back and not participate. Neither can you in the story God is writing for you. It may be complicated and messy and hard. Mine is, too.

I feel ill-equipped for this season. But God is with me, as he is with you. He infuses us with his Holy Spirit when you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He has not left me and you alone.

So, I may just show up here on an empty page with nothing but myself and my guitar of words.

But that’s better than not showing up at all.