From Edie: Audrey Frank shares how Jesus meets writers in the ordinary, speaks through everyday faithfulness, and transforms our writing into a calling that honors Him.
Jesus, the Word of God: He Speaks to us as we Follow Him
by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!” They left their nets immediately and followed him (Matthew 4:18-20 NET).
The Seeking
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee…
Jesus moves among the commonplace. The fishermen were casting nets for a living. Theirs was no leisurely pastime, but a patient, messy labor full of hope, day after day. Such training in perseverance is perfect for the patient, messy labor of working with people. Who knew such smelly work could be sacred? I wonder if Simon and Andrew had ever thought of fish as a metaphor for humans before the Messiah walked by and expanded their imaginations beyond the boat.
I am curious what common writing tasks Jesus might make sacred in our lives today. On a particularly inspired day, writing can feel positively worshipful. But truth be told, most of the time, writing is plain, unfancy work. Books, like fish, don’t usually jump onto the hook. Just creating the right hook is work!
Thanks be to God that He is keenly interested in the commonplace training of regular life. It is here that Jesus comes and seeks you and me.
The Seeing
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen).
Jesus sees us in our daily work. He is not looking passively at you as you read this right now (Thank you for taking the precious time!) He sees you. He knows your name and what you do every day. God sees not only who you know yourself to be today, but the complete you, in all the fullness of His created purpose for your life and the words you will write. He sees the writing dream and the writing disappointment, and He sees His image reflected in you as you persevere. The Lord has plans for you, plans to give you hope and a future. He is looking at you right now with love.
Somehow that thought makes the work a bit more hopeful.
The Speaking
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!” They left their nets immediately and followed him.
Jesus speaks to us as we do the ordinary. Were Simon and Peter ready to hear God speak? If they had known the life-changing encounter awaiting them that day, would they have put their heads together in serious strategy as the sun rose and prepared themselves to answer well?
They were ready because they were diligent.
Diligence in the ordinary tasks of our writing craft prepares us for the call that is surely coming. Jesus’ invitation was wrapped in the gold-leaf words Follow Me. A command with a promise. A summons to adventure. A beckoning to leave our understanding of the ordinary and follow the Extraordinary One and learn from Him.
Do you need more training? Follow the Word who sees wearying work as eternal equipping.
Is your imagination dull? Follow the Word who invites fishers of fish to become fishers of people.
Do you feel invisible? Follow the One who Sees. He is passing by, and He knows you completely.
The Word is looking for followers among the ordinary, and He speaks to writers as they follow Him. Let’s do the work of writing today and stay alert. Jesus is seeking you and me. He sees us, and He will speak to us marvelous things that turn our ordinary into extraordinary. Come, follow Him with me today!
Lord, I am waiting and ready as I cast my net today. Come, Jesus, and I will follow You. Amen.
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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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