The Author

As someone who loves to write, it always excites me when someone picks up one of my books. But what means even more is when they come back later and say, “I’ve enjoyed reading your book. It has meant a lot to me.”

There is no greater compliment an author can receive than knowing someone has actually read what they wrote and that it made a difference.

That thought came to me recently while reading the book of Acts. In Acts 3:15, Peter boldly tells the crowd, “You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this” (CSB). Other translations describe Jesus as the Author of life.

Peter was speaking to the very people who had rejected Christ.

They killed the Author.

Almost every time I write a devotion or work on a book, there is a rewrite process. What I intended to say doesn’t always make it onto the page the first time. Sometimes a sentence needs to be clearer. Sometimes one word carries far more weight than another. Mark Twain famously said that the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug. Every good writer knows that editing is where much of the real work happens.

Now imagine an author who dies before finishing his work. There are no more stories to tell. No more chapters to write. No more words of wisdom, instruction, or encouragement.

They killed the Author.

For three days, it appeared the story was over.

But Acts 3:15 doesn’t end with death. Peter immediately declares that God raised Him from the dead.

The Author lives.

Jesus Christ, the Author of life, is still writing. He is still creating. He is still transforming lives. He can rewrite the broken chapters of your past. He can begin a new work in your heart. He can change the ending of your story. He still speaks words of truth, hope, encouragement, and grace to all who will listen.

They killed the Author…

…but God raised Him from the dead.

And because the Author lives, your story is not finished.

Until the next page…

Scott Sullivan

The Notebook