Show; Don’t Tell

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:17-21)

The Master storyteller knew the secret of story-showing.

The disciples were Jesus’ critique group and beta readers. One day they would be His launch team. From dusty roads to stormy seas, they lived His stories with Him. They witnessed Jesus turn a few loaves of bread into enough to feed thousands, not once, but twice. Now, they are hungry and tired. In the hullabaloo of the last few days of feeding others, the disciples have forgotten to bring bread for themselves. They have just one loaf, and they begin to whine.

Unbeknownst to them, they are turning the page to another chapter, an important one. They have much to learn. Whining is a form of telling. When we’ve run out of energy, inspiration, and strength, we get sloppy.

By now, the disciples should know better. Jesus has shown them that with Him, they lack no good thing. But they are exhausted and don’t remember what they’ve seen.

They have forgotten they are walking with the One who is the Bread of Life. They have forgotten that He always takes their little and makes it more than enough.

He consistently showed them this truth, yet they still did not understand.

Jesus is listening to their telling. Their whining.

Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? …Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17-18

The disciples would become writers themselves. They were learning from Jesus how to show instead of tell. But today they still don’t understand. They will soon, at great cost.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The Master storyshower came Himself to demonstrate the plot, conflict, and resolution of the Greatest Story. The Author and Finisher embodied the story He wrote. The disciples would witness every element of God’s story. Then they would understand.

One day they would write the story down for others. People like you and me, modern day disciples. Apprentices to the great story-shower.

Let us strive to understand.

He has shown us that we lack no good thing when we walk with Him. Let’s take up our pen today and write. He will surely multiply the little we bring and make it enough to feed thousands.

Lord, help me remember and understand. Then multiply my little to feed the hearts of thousands. Amen.

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Show, Don't Tell from author @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.