A Story About a Ball and it's Owner
Why do we like stories? Because we don’t know how they end, and we’re
dying to find out (literally). Why does
God like stories? He knows how they end
and He’s excited for what he has planned.
It has been proved that a
story works best when it has a specific structure to it. Three acts, all with a beginning, middle and
an end. All good stories have conflict
to them as well and each conflict (small or large) has a beginning, middle, and
an end to it. Similarly, every moment of
your life has a structure to it, beginning, middle and end. What kind of story are you writing
everyday?
Put another way, everyday and
even every moment has an attack (onset of conflict), a reaction (flight or a
battle) and a resolution: Attack, reaction, resolution; Attack, reaction,
resolution; Attack, reaction, resolution.
If this seems boring and repetitious to you, ask yourself, “Are you
tired of fighting the battle? At times
we all are.”
A very good friend has lost
her spouse and is getting older. She is
tired of the fight. The weapons are
available, but oftentimes, a sense of alone-ness is difficult to navigate. Even when she has help and companionship, the
fear and worry of the coming alone-ness is an unwelcome guest, which steals
away present enjoyment. This interloper
ensures that the venture into higher ground and into joy is never a long or a
deep journey.
Pastor David Jeremiah says
that the Word of God is an offensive weapon, but only when it is used. As you think about that, you may lament the
times you have left yourself unprotected because you didn’t speak out the words
and the promises of Almighty God.
One of the greatest weapons
is the phrase, “The joy of the Lord is my (your) strength” (Neh. 8:10). This verse has
lead many downtrodden humans to the mountains, and it can lead you if you keep
it close and use it as a weapon to ward off the thoughts and feelings that tear
away at your peace and erode trust in the source of peace.
As Christians, we all have a
claim to a victorious life. But, we must
claim the battle to claim the victory.
How is it possible that so many of us that see the glass half empty? After seeing a life of miracles (births,
healings, the sunrise and the food that grows out of the ground), we still
refuse to believe in the swift and sure divine help that leads us out of our
troubles or at least strengthens us to survive them.
Why do we like stories? It’s because we don’t know how they end. The expectation and the surprise remind us
that we are in similarly tight situations, fighting our own dragons and even
experiencing similar betrayals from others.
Stories give us practice in the art of patience and courage as we
vicariously cheer for the hero, who is us.
We connect with stories that remind us of ours. Mothers and fathers especially connect with
films like “Prisoners,” with Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman, because they can
relate to that kind of a battle. The
logline reads: When a daughter is
kidnapped, the family takes matters into their own hands.
A good story encourages (IN
COURAGE, US). Your strength will ebb and
flow during your life and there are many things that can encourage you, like the
“never-say-die” courage of anyone, who refuses to give in to a tendency to
worry or to fear. We are encouraged by
one who will not be slowed by a difficult task or an illness or one who smiles
and chooses love and faith, rather than choosing to wilt in fear, depression or
loneliness.
This kind of courage is
worlds away from choosing to hide our fear from others as if everything is ok. This is not helpful to either party. The fearful one harbors dangerous fear, anger
and mistrust and pays for this myopia by having to go it alone. Making decisions based on fear and worry
never leads to fair and open-minded decision-making.
Why does God like
stories? Because He does know how they
end and he directs the perfect ending.
The ending is so glorious that it will obliterate all of the trials of
this world in the flash of an instant that will make us embarrassed that we ever
complained.
Work toward that end. Take some others with you.
