In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, perspective 6 Comments

 

Mention “theme,” and most people are transported back to English class, when the teacher asked, “What is the theme of this book?” Some of us had fun with this question about the central idea in a novel or short story or poem or play, and some of us started counting the days until summer vacation.

And then some of us … well, some of us became writers. And we ponder and talk about and wrestle with themes whenever we write a book.

But the truth is, fictional characters are not the only ones who have themes in their lives.

You have a life theme. I have a life theme. Every single person created by God — every single person! — has a central idea, or ideas, to their lives. We often go looking for this “theme” — sometimes we call it our passion, our purpose. But I think things like our passion and purpose come out of our life theme(s). Our life theme is created by the circumstances we face. The people we meet. The choices we make.

One of my life themes — based on my circumstances, my relationships, my choices — is family. My life “speaks” of family — and so does my writing. I could even broaden that theme and say one of my life themes is relationships, based on the same criteria.

In Your Words: What’s your life theme? How did you discover it?

[ctt template=”8″ link=”Ea3fW” via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme https://wp.me/p63waO-2t0 @bethvogt #quotes #theme[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”26WF6″ via=”yes” ]”Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it.” via @bethvogt #theme #RichardRusso[/ctt]

 

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In Others’ Words: Finding Your Theme https://wp.me/p63waO-2t0 @bethvogt #quotes #theme

“Ultimately, your theme will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it.” via @bethvogt #theme #RichardRusso

 

 

 

Comments 6

  1. I’m asking You God, to give me what You have left.
    Give me those things which others never ask of You.
    I don’t ask You for rest, or tranquility.
    Not that of the spirit, the body, or the mind.
    I don’t ask You for wealth, or success, or even health.
    All those things are asked of You so much Lord,
    that you can’t have any left to give.
    Give me instead Lord what You have left.
    Give me what others don’t want.
    I want uncertainty and doubt.
    I want torment and battle.
    And I ask that You give them to me now and forever Lord,
    so I can be sure to always have them,
    because I won’t always have the strength to ask again.
    But give me also the courage, the energy,
    and the spirit to face them.
    I ask You these things Lord,
    because I can’t ask them of myself.

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  2. My theme has to do with identity. Knowing Whose we are and Who gives us our identity. I learned this through my own grappling with my wounds and learning how to hear God’s words of life spoken over me.

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