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The Author And The Finisher




 Four times in scripture God is referred to as an author. This image conjures up many ideas in me because I love to read and appreciate the author´s craft. I also love to write--to attempt the author´s craft. Reading is a pleasure and a giving of respect--writing is a challenge, an effort to gain respect. Both exercises help me to understand God, the author of my faith, of your faith, of all faith.

An author begins his craft with an idea. That in itself is a challenge. Notebooks sit on nightstands. Tape recorders are at arms length. No good idea should escape, but when they do, we lament, "I should have written it down." I´m not saying God is like us, needing tablets, but I am trying to establish the value--the treasure of a fresh idea. We are God´s idea--his thought, his creation. For Him to say we are made in His image is an astounding statement. It was his idea to make us "like" Him. In some ways, I´m reminded of Gepetto who fashioned Pinnochio. He wasn´t satisfied with just a wooden toy totally under his control. He wanted a real boy--real like him--made in his image.

It is interesting to help kids analyze why they really like some authors while not caring much for others. One thing stands out. The best authors know how to make their characters real. Mark Twain said something like this, "Don´t say that your character screamed--rather let him open his mouth and scream." Good authors allow you to see, hear, taste, smell and touch through the experience of each character. They have their characters speak out loud so you can hear actual voices. They let them experience everything from ecstasy to deep sadness and pain. Their characters are alive.

God, as the author of our faith, is no different. He expects us to be real. He doesn´t insulate us or hide us from the world. We see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, feel it. His script doesn´t call for characters who are lukewarm--he spits those out. He despises those who bury talents in the ground because they are afraid to invest. He had no compromise for the rich young ruler who wanted to be righteous but safe under the blanket of his own wealth.

In Romans 5:3-, God remind us that his characters will suffer but gain perseverance, persevere and gain character, gain character which produces hope--hope which will never disappoint us. There will be a happy ending.

There will be a happy ending because God is both author and finisher of our faith. He has written himself into the script. He entered the conflict--suffered, died and rose in victory--for us, the rest of the characters. He won the hard fought battle over sin and death. He, like a hero of many books, finished what he started.

The story of life isn´t finished for us yet. We´re still here and we´ll play out this drama until our part in the story is over. We may live out our years happily ever after, or we may do battle right to the end. We don´t know; only the author knows. But, whatever lies ahead, be it pain or pleasure, poverty or prosperity, we can face it with the assurance of a happy ending. The author gave that away long ago when he hung on a cross and said, "It is finished."



About the Author:


 Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.