Author and Finisher
Jesus- the author and finisher of our faith! Isn’t it comforting to know the One who knows the end of the story from the beginning?
As writers, we may struggle knowing how the story we’re creating is going to end- we want the course our characters have been on to lead somewhere…somewhere pivotal and momentous. We want the images we see in our minds and the depth of emotion we feel in our hearts to transfer to the reader’s heart and mind. One of the things I love about writing fiction is that as the creator of your fictional world, your story, and your characters, it gives you a slight glimpse into God’s perspective-how he sees the big picture! (Unlike us in God’s story, however, your fictional characters don’t have a free will…or do they? Haha sometimes it seems they do!)
As a Christian writer, I often feel the Lord giving me ideas, which means anything good I write can ultimately be traced back to Him. He is the greatest resource of all, possessing all the knowledge, all the wisdom, and all the creativity. He is generous too and always willing to give ideas for those who ask him.
Sometimes it has been through writing and reading fiction that I better understand and relate to the reality that it the process that makes the story. This is true in both novels and real life. While writing fiction may seem unimportant or useless to some, I have seen and experienced the Lord using it powerfully in my own life and walk as a believer.
How? You might ask. Think of how easy it is for us as humans to get caught up in the temporary and want what is immediate. It is often difficult to see from the Lord’s perspective- to embrace patience and willingly trust the Lord is working behind the scenes for the heart that is dependent upon him. When you write and read fiction, you as the author or reader often see behind the scenes…you see what lies ahead. You see the reward that will come to the character if she patiently waits for her true love (who you know hasn’t abandoned her even though she fears he has). You are hoping she rejects the marriage proposal of the villain who appears so charming but is going to ruin her life! This is just a simple example, but cross that idea over into real life and you get a glimpse of what our lives look like unfolding before God! We can trust that he who began a good work in us will bring it to completion no matter what our circumstances look like at present. Just as the writer orchestrates the story of a novel, so God in his wisdom is orchestrating our lives-and to what degree depends on our willingness to trust and yield to him as the master writer!
How comforting and motivating to know the One who is the author and finisher of our faith and the One who knows the end from the beginning! Even with God’s preeminence and sovereignty, he still desires to partner with mankind! He wants to share his secrets with those who reverence and know him, and he wants to accomplish his purposes through cooperation and fellowship with the humans he created. The fact that we were created for companionship, to walk with and talk with our Creator, to share our heart and thoughts with him, and better yet to have him share his heart and thoughts with us is forever mind-blowing. Where else is there a God like this?
“O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart. 2 Samuel 7:22
“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me.” Isaiah 46:9