From Edie: Audrey Frank shares how Jesus the Word of God meets writers beyond fear, doubt, and rejection, bringing peace, faith, and courage through every wall that stands in the way.
Jesus the Word of God: When Walls Stand Between Writers and Faith
by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank
This year, we are focusing on one Spiritual Practice for Writers: Going to the Word for our words. (Links to all previous posts in the series are below.)
Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)
I once lived in a medieval, walled city. From a fortress high above it, I could see more than one surrounding the city. The newest was the strongest, its gates the highest. But the remains of older walls from centuries past could still be seen in various states of rubble, their stones a testament to times when the city was younger and smaller.
The Bible has much to say about walls. God created a wall out of water when He split the sea so His people could escape from slavery in Egypt. Sometimes walls were erected to God’s glory, like the tent of the tabernacle He instructed His servant Moses to build. God told His people to march around the walls of Jericho in silence seven times, and at His signal to give a shout, and those walls fell with a crash. King David declared that with his God, he could scale a wall, and Isaiah said that the ruthless are like a storm against a wall.
But perhaps most poignant are the words of God Himself in Isaiah 49:14-16:
Zion said, ‘The LORD has abandoned me,
the Lord has forgotten me.’
Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast?
Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne?
Even if mothers were to forget,
I could never forget you!
Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms;
your walls are constantly before me.
Sometimes we feel forgotten inside our walls. But Love never forgets, and He sent His Son Jesus to pass through each one.
After the devastating crucifixion of the Lord, the bewildered disciples gathered behind bolted doors for fear of the Jewish leaders. Jesus walked right through the walls of that locked-up house.
Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Writer, our walls are constantly before the Lord, and He has written our names upon His hands. No locked door can keep Jesus from walking through our walls today.
I wonder what wall surrounds you. Perhaps it is fear of rejection, or fear of starting in the first place. Or like Thomas, who was there with the disciples that day, is it doubt? Do you need to put your hands on the printed book, smell the pages to believe publication is possible?
Jesus’ words to the disciples are the same words He speaks to us today.
Peace be with you!
Walls cannot stop the Lord. Even now, He is making His way to you, through your walls.
Lord, my walls are ever before You. Walk through my walls today, and give me the courage to believe. Amen.
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Don't miss the other posts in this series!
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.
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