Many dedicated Lipscomb University students endured the long trek across campus to Lipscomb Academy’s gymnasium in order to see the esteemed guest speaking at The Gathering this week.
Renowned Christian author Francine Rivers spoke about her life, her Christian journey and her career as a writer. A number of committed fans even arrived early to ensure optimal seating.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a speaker at Lipscomb as I was for Francine,” said Lipscomb senior Hailey Parrott. “She just knows how to speak to people in different ways and put a story together that we can all understand.”
Rivers, the author of Redeeming Love and The Last Sin Eater among many others, related her life story and explained how God had rescued her and given her a purpose and passion for fiction writing. She began by speaking about growing up under the guidance of church-going parents in a community that was largely non-Christian.
Rivers then went on to talk about being a college student in the 60s and how she became involved in destructive practices such as free love, smoking and drinking.
She spoke about undergoing an abortion at an early age, suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts, marrying a young Vietnam veteran and going to work after graduation for men who had less education than she did.
“I said I was fine, but I didn’t think I’d ever be fine again,” Rivers said.
Rivers then began speaking about her career as an author.
“I have always known I wanted to be writer, but I didn’t know what I wanted to write because I hated to read,” said Rivers. “I majored in English and minored in journalism, but I didn’t like what they were assigning for reading and I didn’t like the classes.”
Amidst numerous pregnancies and several miscarriages, Rivers and her husband eventually had three children. It was during these tumultuous years that Rivers began writing her first books.
Rivers recollects being invited to a specific church by neighbors during this time in her life.
“I was desperate enough that I went to that church,” Rivers said. “People were bringing their own Bibles and reading them. It was amazing. So I started going back.”
Eventually, after countless in-home Bible studies, Rivers and her husband were baptized together.
“I thought everything would be great after that, but it was horrible,” Rivers said. “I couldn’t write anymore. I didn’t understand what was going on. I just couldn’t make any sense out of anything I was trying to write.”
Rivers explained how she feels that God was removing her idol, which was her talent for writing, from her life. She went on to describe the first time she read the Biblical book of Hosea and how deeply it touched her heart.
This conviction prompted her to write her novel Redeeming Love.
“God said this was the love story He wanted me to write,” Rivers said. “I felt like Jesus was just sitting right there telling me His story and telling me how much He loved me.”
Rivers went on to describe the process through which she now writes all of her books.
“It didn’t end with Redeeming Love,” Rivers said. “What came to me is that I have all these questions, and God was kind of leading me to take those questions to Him and to create characters that voice all those questions I had.”
Students and audience members left chapel moved by Rivers and the story she had so eloquently related.
“Francine Rivers is such an inspirational person and author,” said Lipscomb senior McKenna Smith. “I just really admire her ability to bring so much light out of such a dark situation.”
Rivers’ openly honest closing statement resonated with all those in attendance:
“Life is hard. You are in a hot house environment here. There’s a lot of protection. The world is full of lies and temptations. Stay in your scriptures. Study your Bible. Put on the armor of God because you’re going to need it out there. And follow Jesus. Just keep following Jesus.”
Photo credit to Lipscomb University