Who's Writing Your Story

 

Good Morning! It’s Monday! I was listening to a book on Audible yesterday morning and the author said this, “…..there’s a reason I’m not writing the story and God is…”. She was referring to a really devastating time in her family. She made the comment to her husband, “If I were writing the story, it would have a completely different ending.” I have felt that same thing over these last years. Certainly, I could have written a better ending, one not so tragic, so painful……so final. As I now have nearly six years to look back….oh how I remember that pain, so excruciating……. I would have given nearly anything for him to be here.

As a follower of Christ I have free will….I was so angry at Him and a million “whys” crossed my lips multiple times a day. But in that anger I never chose to leave Him behind even though I couldn’t read my Bible and I couldn’t pray. I’ve found great comfort in knowing that once I said yes to Him who is able to keep me from falling, that no matter how far I would stray he would be there to bring me back……a hundred times and more if necessary. His word PROMISES, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you”.  NEVER is a long, long time!

King Hezekiah did right in the eyes of the Lord. When he fell ill he wasn’t ready to die so he begged God to spare his life, to give him more time. God granted his request and Hezekiah lived another 15 years. During this time his son 

Manasseh was born. When Hezekiah died Manasseh succeeded him as King. One commentary described him as a “cruel tyrant”. Now, of course, nothing happens that God doesn’t plan and know about but I just find it curious that Hezekiah thought he had a better ending. I think that sometimes too. I, just like Hezekiah, have begged God for something different. A different ending. I remember thinking, “maybe this is all a really bad dream from which I’ll wake”. I thought that for weeks on end. I begged, “please, please, please let this be a nightmare”.

I didn’t think it then but I sure do now, “how arrogant of me to think I could possibly write a better story from my limited perspective.” Heck, I don’t even know what will happen an hour from now let alone tomorrow, next week, next month, next year…….how in the world could I write a story 30, 40, 50 years out. Oh I’m sure it would be rainbows and puppies. Lots of sunshine, no clouds, no cold, no snow…EVER, no pain, no striving, health, wealth and prosperity. Doesn’t sound terrible, right? But God…..I would have no need for him and my journey on earth would be just that. Sad…really…..

Each day, each mistake, each wrong decision, each hurt, each painful tragedy is growing me up to be like Christ! Oh my goodness, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be like! When I read his word and ponder the relationship I have with him I begin to realize that there is no better story. And the icing on the cake? It’s FOREVER! Who doesn’t want FOREVER?!

ETERNITY - infinite or unending time. "their love was sealed for eternity"

If I take the challenges, pain and tragedies’ of this life….of my 80 years, compared to paradise FOREVER with a Savior that loves me so much that he WANTS to grow me in his likeness (spoiler alert: being like Christ is an amazing goal)……well, I will stand firmly in that which is forever versus that which is temporary. There are real blessings in this life as God grows me. Is it easy? Sometimes not. Is it hard? Yes, many times it is. Is it worth it? Yes, always. When I’m in a particularly hard trial do I see Him working? Maybe not IN the moment but certainly always, in His timing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

As He grows me in his likeness, I produce the fruit of the Spirit. Perfectly? No. But as I grow, displaying the fruit of the Spirit becomes more and more the desire of my heart. And that desire makes living through really tough times more bearable.

As I get older I realize just how much eternal security means to me. Not that it meant less before I just spend a whole lot more time thinking about it. I have less to distract me. And I’m grateful. Grateful that he has never left my side not one single time….not a single second.

I hope you know the Savior. I mean that from the depths of my heart. Your life will never be the same. No, not perfect. But even in the imperfection, even in the bad choices, even when we go astray for a time, your eternity is 100% secure. If you want to know him, ask him into your heart today. Ask him to change you, to challenge you, ask him to help you turn from whatever is holding you back from a full relationship with him. Ask Him to write your story. He IS faithful and he WILL do it!

Be blessed today!

Be the hands and feet of Jesus.