“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Most of us know him. He is often referred to as a Charles Dickens and Mark Twain all wrapped up in one package. He is a masterful writer who has capitalized on America’s fascination with the law. In fact, in twenty-five years, fifteen of his books – including today’s best seller, Gray Mountain – have landed at Number 1 on the USA Today’s Best Selling Book List.
In spite of all his accomplishments, John Grisham once told a Saturday Evening Post reporter that his most important accomplishment had not come from writing books, but instead when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the tender age of 8.
Grisham was once featured in a story on the iBelieve.com website. I was so encouraged by what I read that I want to share a little of his testimony with you. It may just be the greatest story that he has yet to tell.
“When I was actively practicing law,” Grisham told iBelieve.com reporter Ken Walker, “there were cases and clients I refused because of my faith.” He noted that were some divorce cases along with some criminal defendants whose causes he couldn’t support. “I did a lot of pro bono work for churches (that had) an assortment of legal problems.”
Interestingly, success has not changed Grisham like we might think. IBelieve.com put it this way: “Grisham eschews gratuitous sex, profanity and violence. He even asked that his screenplay for The Gingerbread Man actually be credited to Al Hayes because, reportedly, Grisham didn’t like the bad language. One movie critic mused over the request: ‘Anyone who’s been to the movies in, say, the last 30 years might wonder, ‘What bad language?’”
Grisham’s personal life continues to reflect his commitment to his faith, too. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, where he faithfully attends church, teaches Sunday school, is a devoted father, and a pretty good Little League Baseball coach. And he’s giving back some of the estimated $200 million fortune his books and movies have earned him. For example, he built a Little League complex complete with six fields where he promises, “Every kid gets to play”. He should know: He’s the League’s Commissioner!
And don’t think Grisham hasn’t shared his faith with the loyals who stand in line overnight just to be first to get a copy of his newest book. Oh sure, he’s a great storyteller who keeps you fascinated with the intricate details that he weaves into his plots. But did you notice in his book, The Testament, how the drunken, divorce hero winds up seeking God. And what about The Chamber, where Grisham dealt with the issues of racism and the death penalty? It wasn’t just a good storyline for the prison chaplain to lead the hate-filled bomber to Christ just before his execution. Grisham was trying to tell us that when you get right down to it, Jesus is the only hope we have.
The truth is all of Grisham’s books deal with the same character issues that plague the rest of us every day, albeit most of us don’t find ourselves in the situations that his characters do. Or do we? When you stop and think about it, Grisham deals with greed, lust, addictions, or an insatiable thirst for power and control. Through those flaws, he reminds us about what he knows in life: You cannot serve two masters. It’s no mistake that God shows up so much.
Grisham’s books are characteristically about the struggle between good and evil. That’s why we buy them. We all struggle with it, too. But Grisham, as one aspiring writer put it, is in “a wonderful position to connect with the people because he entertains them, then he hopes to retain a few of them with the message.”
We all know our share of Christians – who when their ships did come in – forgot all about the one who was in the boat with them when it arrived. That’s why it’s so great to see a man, whom God has blessed with more than his share of talent and success, stand on the dock and continue to point the way to Jesus. Think about it the next time you read a Grisham novel. You’ll see Jesus in a way you never have before.
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