A Writer’s Purpose

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it(Matthew 16:18).

Do you know your purpose, writer?

Purpose is a wiggly thing. Just when we think we have a firm grip on it, it slips out of our hands.

There is a way to know for sure. To have rock-solid confidence in what we were made for. And the irony is, this kind of purpose actually grabs hold of us.

A young man named Simon found his purpose unexpectedly one day in a dusty town called Caesarea. The Hebrew name Shimon comes from the root word shema. Shema technically means to hear, but within the Hebrew context, it unfolds to reveal so much more: to listen, to understand, and to respond. 

Simon was living up to his name the afternoon Jesus asked the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Outsiders and onlookers were buzzing with opinions about who exactly Jesus was. Jesus’ question to his inner circle was direct and poignant: But who do you say that I am?

Listening intently, Simon exclaimed, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God!” (Verse 16).

In that moment, Purpose grabbed Simon and gave him a new name.

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it (Matthew 16:18).

Peter, or Pétros in Greek, means rock.

Peter’s purpose was rock-solid.

For the rest of his life, in good times and bad, the purpose words spoken by Jesus held Peter tight. Purpose picked him up when the anguish of betrayal urged him to throw himself down (Luke 22:54-62). Purpose kept him standing before the accusing masses (Acts 2:14-42). Purpose gave him the wisdom to step outside his limitations and believe for bigger things (Acts 10:9-16).

Writer, we can know such purpose.

The voice of Jesus rings through the ages, asking you and me,

But who do you say I am?

Our answer to this question determines everything.

For those who lean in and listen deep, understanding comes like a joy-filled belly laugh. As the scarred hands grab us tight in celebration of who we were made to be we can’t help but declare along with Simon,

You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

And with that, it is done.

Purpose grabs us and doesn’t let go. Purpose is a Person, and his name is Jesus. He made us to write. To steward the words of the One who chases the broken, loves justice, restores the destroyed, heals the wounded, and honors the shamed.

And for the rest of our lives, through good times and bad, Purpose will hold us tight. He will pick us up when discouragement tries to throw us down. He will give us the wisdom to step outside of our limitations and believe for bigger things.

Lord, give me eyes to see who You are. Make my purpose rock-solid today. Amen.

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A Writer's Purpose thoughts from @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.

Audrey is the author of Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World (Harvest House Publishers), an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available at favorite booksellers: BARNES & NOBLE , BOOKS A MILLION, AMAZON.