The Biblical Prophet Hosea inspired Redeeming Love. The hero was clear in my mind: Michael Hosea. Michael means “who is like God” and “a gift from God”, and that is the role he would portray in the novel. Jesus reveals God to us. He is “the exact representation” of God. The character Michael would strive to live a Christlike life, no matter the trials he would face, no matter the cost.
Gomer was the challenge. Scripture tells us nothing about her personal journey other than she marries Hosea and goes back to prostitution – repeatedly. Why? What would make a woman run from a faithful man who loves her enough to suffer such rejection and still pay her ransom?
An article in a women’s magazine caught my eye. It was about a little girl who had disappeared. There were three pictures; the first, a school photo of an innocent, pretty, little blonde girl of about eight – the second from a police-confiscated porno film in which that same little girl, now terrified, faced rape, the third and last ever seen picture of her at the age 10-12, eyes dead, wearing a seductive smile. I pinned those pictures to the wall in front of my computer, and I wrote the book for her. Wherever she is, I want her to know she is not forgotten, and God loves her. He can give her a new life. Writing the first 50 pages of Redeeming Love and imagining her life was excruciating. But how else could readers see the world through Angel’s eyes? How else could readers understand what it takes to rescue and restore the wounded heart and soul of a sinner?
In truth, I thought what happened to that little girl in the magazine article was rare. Over the years since the book came out, readers have poured out their life stories in letters, telling me the impact Michael’s love had on them. They saw God in him. They felt hope for the first time that the Lord loved them no matter what others said about them or what they had done to survive. I heard from people suffering broken marriages, church leaders who had fallen into sin, men, and women in prison or still “in the life”. When I was asked to speak at the International Conference on Prostitution, I wondered why. I’m just a fiction writer. What knowledge or encouragement could I possibly offer people on the front lines in the global battle against sex trafficking? The friend who extended the invitation told me I had no idea how widely the book was being used in ministries, not just in America, but around the world.
Redeeming Love has never been my book. It has always belonged to God. The story is about His heart, His passion for His children, His faithfulness, His pursuit of us, and the faithful, all-consuming fire of His love that never gives up, never ends.
The book is a tool and meant to build a bridge to the true love relationship – with Jesus. People have been asking for a movie for decades, and movies have impact. “Redeeming Love” had to be a picture of God’s patience with and passionate love for you and for me – and especially those who mistakenly think He is a wrathful judge counting sins and eager to condemn and send people to hell. My hope has been that believers would see an opportunity, invite unsaved friends and family members to see the movie and then talk about Jesus. It’s a joy to share our own stories of how we met and fell in love with the Lord. Many have done that, all praise to God.
Questions to encourage conversation are posted in a blog on my website. Angie Hunt and I worked together on The Companion Study of Redeeming Love for those who want to have a group study or go deeper individually and heal from past experiences. Karin Stock Buursma and I worked on A Path to Redeeming Love – a 40-Day Devotional that addresses the painful issues Angel and Michael face in the story – and so many face in real life.
I am so thankful to all those who took part in making “Redeeming Love” and to those who went to the cinema to see it as well as those now watching the movie on-demand. Blessings are still coming from it. The movie helped launch the Redeeming Love Sanctuary Foundation, started by Holly Caruso, director D.J. Caruso’s wife. We are up and running and were able to award four grants before the movie released. Please check out www.redeeminglovesanctuary.org. If you know of a sex trafficking ministry in your area, let them know we exist.
We each have our unique calling in how to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commandment to spread the Good News to all the world. It’s the message people need to hear! God loves you so much He sent His only begotten Son to die for you so that you might have eternal life. Christ died so that you might be saved by faith in Him. Faith means receiving a new heart and a new life in Christ. And He gives you the strength to walk it out day-by-day. Christ arose so that you would know God’s promises are true! Christ lives and offers you the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so that you might experience the peace that is beyond all human understanding – even while going through great difficulties. Your Creator — the Creator of the universe and everything in it — offers you a wedding proposal. Come to Me, Beloved.
Angel made her choice. She sought God in her darkest hour. She didn’t just take a step. She dove in and reached out for Him.
And God answered with His redeeming love.