This post is inspired by Donald Miller’s book-
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
You should read it, pronto.
So, what’s your story? This is something that’s asked of us quite often. And I dare say that the answer is always pretty shallow. “Oh you know, white middle-class family, parents divorced, didn’t party in college, yada yada yada…” But we all know that the real story goes so much deeper. Perhaps we feel it’s not safe to tell it.
Everyone wants to say that they have lived a good story. I know I sure do. But, if it’s just left up to me to write a good story, then it’s sure to be mediocre at best. I would omit all of the very things that give life to my story. That sets my story apart from yours, and yours from mine. Sure, we’d have points of intersection, but the route is almost always different.
My character would not want to change. As a matter of fact most characters, in their very nature, are that way. Change tends to only happen when a person is forced. My grandfather, who had smoked two cartons of cigarrettes a week for thirty-plus years quit cold-turkey, only after one lung was removed. I’ve focused more on my relationship with my wife, after leading worship at a funeral for a guy my exact age, and married for the same amount of time.
So, remember the events– good, bad and in-between. They are a part of your story. These have come for a reason. Remember that joy costs pain. I don’t really appreciate that it’s that way, but I believe it to be true. Our stories are uniquely part of the much larger story of God, and they have meaning and purpose when He is allowed to write a good story. And in trusting Him to pen it out, we have to take a look at those things that tend to bring about change, no matter how good (or bad) they are.
I want to write a better story….guess I better start living it.
What would you need to respond with if you were asked the question —-
So, what’s your story?
I think my first response was that my story encompasses being lost and found…but the thing is, I regularly still get lost before I get found…so my story simply has a lot to do with repeatedly being found by God’s love in all the ugly places I wander off into.
Indeed, my friend. I would have to say that if my story was ever published, it would have to be titled “Found.”
P.S. to other potential views of this blog today: Melodee is a talented photographer, and has been known to write some pretty sweet blog posts herself. Take time to check her out!
Good words. We have been begun our Community Groups by having everyone tell their stories and we are going through “The Story of God” in our Sunday School time. Our “modern” mindset for some reason ignores the reality and power of story, even though it’s fundamental to every person in every culture.
Good words.
Thanks for the comment, Brent.
I’ve heard it said that there is no story of redemption that doesn’t include depravity, and I believe that to be true. Otherwise, why would we even need to be redeemed? I hear countless stories where I work dealing with all sorts of things that I would never wish upon anyone. But, the very things that make up their stories are the very markers in their lives that indicate God’s redeeming power in them….the same power that raised Christ. We need to quit omitting.
Given the last two years of my life, I think I would honestly respond with a huge smile and say “God is much more creative story-teller than I am.”
amen to that!