As I reviewed the photographer’s portfolio, he and I got into a discussion about creating and the reasons for it, which led to a discussion about writing that he had with a friend. At that point, he shared the oft-used expression that he shared with his writer-friend, “Write to your audience.” I replied that phrase is a slippery slope worthy of discussion over a beer or bourbon. We didn’t continue the conversation, but the question of for whom we write (photograph, paint, sketch, choreograph…and so on) is a complex one. The answer to that question relates to the reason we undertake any activity.

Thomas Merton, wrote in his book, New Seeds of Contemplation, “If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men – you may make some money and you may give someone a little joy and you may make a noise in the world, for a little while. If you write only for yourself you can read what you yourself have written and after ten minutes you will be so disgusted you will wish that you were dead.”

Merton’s message speaks boldly about purpose. I am reminded of Matthew 7:26 –” But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” – and the question it poses to everyone about everything we do. For whom do you work, for whom do you live? Upon what, or whom, do we build our life’s work?

The modern world (modernism) measures output by immediate effects: number of friends in social media, profit by quarter, status on bestseller list and so on. If we work for God, the fruits of our labors may or may not be seen today, this week, next month, this year or our own lifetime. There are many in history whose writings, teachings and works did not reach their effect during their lifetimes and are still being discovered anew to expand awareness and prove purpose. Jesus, for example. His work was his Father’s.

For whom do we write?  Our audience?  For whom do we design buildings (I think of the great cathedrals versus modern churches as examples)? Those who enter? For whom do we dance, cook, farm, etc.? For whom do we serve as leaders, managers or volunteers?

All of this leads to what I think is a better response to the over-used expression nowadays, “What is your ‘why’?” that is posed ad nauseum.  Perhaps we should be responding, “To serve God as I was created to do. He is my why.”