Jesus the Word of God: : The Giver of Treasures in Darkness

From Edie: Audrey Frank shares how Jesus, the Word of God, gives writers treasures in darkness, turning trials into hope, purpose, and words that point others to Him.

Jesus the Word of God: The Giver of Treasures in Darkness

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name (Isaiah 45:3, NASB)

“In 1637, out of much trouble of mind, the Scottish minister Rutherford wrote to a friend: It is possible to gather gold, where it may be had, with moonlight.

This book is written to any who are walking in difficult places and who care to gather that gold.”

—the dedication page of Gold by Moonlight, by Amy Carmichael 

There is treasure in the darkness. In the blackest night, a light shines. If we care to, we can gather gold by moonlight.

Moonlighting is a funny term in English. It describes working a second job in addition to one’s regular employment. Most writers I know are moonlighters, and writing is the second job (although we sure wish it were the first!) The teacher who spends her daylight hours with a class full of grammar students but stays up until 2 am writing fan fiction, the director of an international mission organization who meets with world church leaders, drinks tea with tribal chiefs, and rises at 3 am to write in the silence, the mother of littles who shoots off 1500 words while the baby naps… every one is a moonlighter.

What about the father who writes through the inky blackness of losing a son? Or the poet who turns unspeakable injustice into a song of hope? Or the rejected novelist who keeps writing through the dark valley of rejection? These moonlighters are set on gathering gold despite the dark.

To be a writer is to walk through difficult places. It is no small feat to write words that bring life to a dying world. Words that build up, instead of destroy. Words that heal, instead of wound. Words of truth amidst a cyclone of lies.

But we take up our pen and write on in the darkness. We are bent on gathering gold, and we are not completely without light even on the longest night. The Word of God is also the Light of the World, and He is near.

The Word of God has promised to give treasures in the darkness, hidden wealth in secret places. His purpose is singular: so that you and I may know that it is the Lord who calls us by our name.

Writer, you are called by name. The Word calls to you in the darkness. Come, gather gold with Him today. And when you realize that the Light of the World calls you by name, go tell others.

Lord, lead me to gold in the moonlight. And then send me to others in the dark who don’t yet realize You know them by name. Amen.

TWEETABLE

Jesus the Word of God: : The Giver of Treasures in Darkness from @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't miss the other posts in this series!

January: Going to the Word for Our Words: Understanding the Source and Power of Our Words

February: Jesus the Word of God: How the Creator Shapes Our Words as Christian Writers

March: Jesus the Word of God: Light for Writers

April: Jesus the Word of God, The Power of Resurrection for Writers

June: Jesus the Word of God: When Walls Stand Between Writers and Faith

July: Jesus the Word of God: The Giver of Treasures in Darkness

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.