What’s Your Story?
I LOVE hearing people tell stories. It doesn’t matter if I’m sitting there listening to a story they made up or they’re reading it from a book, I still enjoy it. But what I really love is hearing stories from people’s lives. We all have stories. And I’m not just talking about telling the story of one little event (like when you caught that giant fish) I’m talking about your whole life.
We all have a story. Some stories are happy and others will make you wanna cry. Some are fast paced and suspenseful and others are just slow and steady. Some people’s stories will shock you while others will come as no surprise. But no matter how it goes, it is still the story God is writing in your life.
Think about that for a little bit. God is writing your story. Not you. Not me. God. THANK GOODNESS! Because I don’t have a clue what I’m doing! You know when you’re reading a book (or watching movie) and there’s a scene that makes you think ‘hmmm, I bet that’s going to be important’ but you don’t know yet how it fits in the main storyline? Our lives have those moments all the time. God is CONSTANTLY lining things up for the future, for the next chapter of our lives, even when we don’t have a clue what direction it’s going.
Paul David Tripp put it this way- “Thankfully I am not the author of my own personal story. Your story isn’t an autobiography either. Your story is a biography of wisdom and grace written by another. Every turn He writes into your story is right. Every twist of the plot is for the best. Every new character or unexpected event is a tool of His grace. Each new chapter advances His purpose.” (He wrote that in his book New Morning Mercies, I haven’t read it, I just saw this quote here and liked it.)
Here’s a little mini Story Time with Natalie (I just had to throw that in there for this post about stories haha) Every summer I work as a camp counselor and one of my favorite things to tell my girls is that their lives are like a movie. Right now they’ve only seen the 10 second trailer, but God has seen the whole thing. And not only that, but He also wrote, casted, directed, and produced it. He knows exactly what is coming next and He knows the perfect time for it all to happen. I tell my girls that it’s ok to not know where you’re going. Stop trying to control it all. Be patient. Like the Allstate guy says “You’re in good hands.”
Now all that’s about the rest of your story, the chapters that haven’t come yet. But what about the parts that already happened? More often than not, our stories have been full of less-than-ideal circumstances, at least to our way of thinking. But remember, God wrote your story. So whatever happened in your past is ideal for the ending He has in mind.
I was reminded of this very clearly the other day. I heard part of someone’s story and it made me want to cry for them (ok yeah I might’ve actually cried a little). I wanted to cry because I hated that they had to go through that. But they assured me that it’s ok. Their past is a good thing because it’s what pointed them to God. This person’s testimony, their story, so clearly demonstrates God’s power, forgiveness, and love. So you can bet that God’s going to use that story for His own glory. THAT’S AWESOME!
Am I beyond thankful for all this person has been through to get them to this point? OF COURSE! Am I still sad for them? Not really. I still feel for them for how hard it must have been in those rough points, but I’m not sad for how it happened. I think that’s a healthy way to respond to someone’s story. You can’t just dismiss the hard parts as though they never happened. Have some empathy. Feel for them. That’s ok. But make sure you do it will thankfulness and understanding for how God used that (and will keep using that). It’s ok if the specific situation isn’t a happy one, but be happy for what it led to. It’s like the song Scars by I Am They. We can be thankful for our scars because they tell of who God is!
That person’s story isn’t the only one I heard recently though (see how God was lining things up again?) What’s different about these two stories is that this second person is still in the middle of it. They haven’t gotten to a place where they can see how God is using that story. They haven’t figured out how to be thankful for it yet. So how does that change my response? IT DOESN’T! Just because they aren’t thankful for it yet doesn’t mean I can’t be. Yeah, I don’t know specifically how God is going to use it, but I know that He will. The potential for showing God’s power, forgiveness, and love is there! So if you know someone who’s at this point in their story, encourage them. Help them to see the potential for greatness that’s already in their story.
Maybe you’re the one in the middle of a hard part in your story and trying to figure out where it all might be going. Relax. GOD’S GOT THIS! He knows what He’s doing! Look for what He’s already lined up for you and through you. God will use your story. Make sure you’re on board.
See here’s the thing, God knows exactly where and how He wants to use you… so He lines up your story to match. Whatever your story is, it is a specific and unique way for God’s glory to shine. Your experiences can open doors that mine never will, and vice versa.
Maybe your story is fast paced and suspenseful. GOD WROTE IT THAT WAY FOR A REASON.
Maybe your story is slow and steady (and even a little boring at points.) GOD WROTE IT THAT WAY FOR A REASON.
Maybe your story is all jumbled around and you can’t even tell if it’s exciting or boring. GOD WROTE IT THAT WAY FOR A REASON.
So I’ve been reading ‘Everybody Always’ by Bob Goff (again, a wonderful book and I highly recommend it, check it out here) and God lined it up that I would read this line yesterday- “God has never looked in your mirror or mine and wished He saw someone else.” Amen Bob! Your story made you who you are and God did that on purpose.
So what’s your story?
