Into the Fire

On Francine Rivers' website, her personal "About" page indicates she was raised in a "religious home" but didn't embrace Jesus Christ until later in life. Her response to her salvation was to write the classic bestseller Redeeming Love. 

As most of you know, I've praised Francine's latest The Masterpiece in depth. I've loved many novels, but few have touched my soul like this one. In my review and post-review article I gave it my best shot at explaining my reaction but still it felt inadequate. 

So here's what I've concluded. Francine "gets" it. I can't claim to know anything about her personal life before she met Jesus Christ. But I would guess that she experienced somewhat of a participation in what the world offers before her conversion. I think this because I did and I'm convinced there is simply no other way to truly understand the mindsets of her hero and heroine in this story. And because they touch a chord in the past songs of my heart as it suffered through the rebellious years of my life, I knew these two. Intimately. 

Unlike them, I had no traumatic upbringing and was incredibly blessed with loving parents who believed in God and who sheltered me and raised me right. I had no excuses for the behaviors I chose after I left home. Except for one major thing: I didn't know Jesus. I too met him later in life (at 30). When you spend that much time in the world, you see, feel, and experience the underside of emotional attractions and conduct. Francine Rivers captures those to near perfection and the anguish those lifestyles produce along with the emptiness, the striving for "more" which can be attempted in all kinds of harmful ways. 

This might not make sense to anyone else. After all, these are fictional characters. Out of a novel. But to me they encompass a reality. They're more examples of why I write the way I do. We who made mistakes in our lives can be redeemed. We can find Truth and Love in spite of ourselves. His name is Jesus. And He's here for us all. 

Anyway, Francine "gets" it. And that's why the two characters in this novel mean so much to me. The Masterpiece is stunningly beautiful, and I've now read it five times. And counting . . . 

Father, you anoint and put your divine touch on many things. What an incredible blessing to be on the receiving end of such personal touches. Thank you for Francine's heart and ability to communicate life and your Love. Amazing gifting. Thank you for it all, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.