In my office I have a framed prayer. It is the text of a prayer offered by my great-great-grandfather a hundred years ago at a family Thanksgiving celebration. It was a blessing on the family. One of the things it reminds me of is how very gracious God has been to me, because my story is connected to several generations of people who have known the Lord and have been faithful to him. From time to time I stop and read it as a way of thanking God for putting me in this family.
All of us have a story. Some of us have stories that are really encouraging, and when we think about our families it’s a very positive thing. For some, though, thoughts of family and personal stories can bring pain. As the text of our story is being written, we’re trying to figure out how to put together a life that matters, perhaps longing for our story to become a happier one than it has been to this point.
What I have come to realize more clearly is that our stories are always part of some larger story. No one lives in isolation. We tend to attach ourselves to something we feel adds meaning and texture to our life. If this is true, then it becomes really important what larger story we are a part of. For some of us that larger story might be the American Dream, having a comfortable life in a nice house with kids that make us look good. For others it could be a cause, like politics, or the environment.
The Scriptures, however, present us with a more compelling story to be a part of. That is the story of God. We often look at the Bible as “the owner’s manual” for life, a place to get help in the practical day to day issues of life, or as a theology book where we find data about God. It certainly is helpful that way, but the Bible is primarily a story, THE STORY, the story of God. A great deal of it is written as narrative and most of the rest of it is commentary and explanation of that narrative. By revealing Himself through this story God challenges and invites us to view Him as an active, purposeful participant in our world and invites us to view our own lives as part of this grand drama.
The problem is that it is hard for us day to day to see this working out in the world where we live. This week, for instance we will observe the 6th anniversary of 9/11. Where was/is God in that? Besides these larger events, we have bills to pay, kids to raise, work to do, etc. How do I see God in that? I’ll admit this is tricky stuff and none of us gets it right even most of the time. However, if this idea of God having a great story that he invites us to be a part of is even remotely true then we have to open the eyes and ears of our minds and hearts and start paying attention. It requires us to get to know Him better and to go beyond asking simplistically “What would Jesus do? and start asking, deeply “What would Jesus have me to do?”
What do you think?
--Danny
All of us have a story. Some of us have stories that are really encouraging, and when we think about our families it’s a very positive thing. For some, though, thoughts of family and personal stories can bring pain. As the text of our story is being written, we’re trying to figure out how to put together a life that matters, perhaps longing for our story to become a happier one than it has been to this point.
What I have come to realize more clearly is that our stories are always part of some larger story. No one lives in isolation. We tend to attach ourselves to something we feel adds meaning and texture to our life. If this is true, then it becomes really important what larger story we are a part of. For some of us that larger story might be the American Dream, having a comfortable life in a nice house with kids that make us look good. For others it could be a cause, like politics, or the environment.
The Scriptures, however, present us with a more compelling story to be a part of. That is the story of God. We often look at the Bible as “the owner’s manual” for life, a place to get help in the practical day to day issues of life, or as a theology book where we find data about God. It certainly is helpful that way, but the Bible is primarily a story, THE STORY, the story of God. A great deal of it is written as narrative and most of the rest of it is commentary and explanation of that narrative. By revealing Himself through this story God challenges and invites us to view Him as an active, purposeful participant in our world and invites us to view our own lives as part of this grand drama.
The problem is that it is hard for us day to day to see this working out in the world where we live. This week, for instance we will observe the 6th anniversary of 9/11. Where was/is God in that? Besides these larger events, we have bills to pay, kids to raise, work to do, etc. How do I see God in that? I’ll admit this is tricky stuff and none of us gets it right even most of the time. However, if this idea of God having a great story that he invites us to be a part of is even remotely true then we have to open the eyes and ears of our minds and hearts and start paying attention. It requires us to get to know Him better and to go beyond asking simplistically “What would Jesus do? and start asking, deeply “What would Jesus have me to do?”
What do you think?
--Danny
5 comments:
Danny, that is a wonderful sign of God's grace on your family. Wow, to know that you are walking in the steps of your ancestors for so many generations. I don't meet too many people who can say that. I hope that your life is at least the half-way point in continuing such a neat heritage with your descendents.
Roy Bowery
Sometimes I feel like God's presence is an ekg chart. I long for a steady stream and constant fellowship- but it seems when I get self occupied, doubtful, or busy- the story seems to be on pause and I am to lazy to get up and find the remote.
Danny, that is so cool how you have five generations of Christians in your family. What a great legacy! My sister and I are the first generation of Christians in our family as far as I know. With God's help, we hope to start a new legacy in our family whose purpose it is to serve and live for God.
Jenny Nichols
When reading old testament scripture, I tended to skim past all of the "begats". But when you consider that the begats defined the lineage that utlimately lead to Christ, then I realize just how important those listed were, whether they realized or not at that time that the role they were playing was a part of something great.
Then I realized that I am a begat. I am playing a role that may not seem overly important at this particular point in the scheme of the world, but it is part of a much bigger plan that God has devised. I'm not sure exactly what role I have, but I trust God if I am faithful and a good steward of the things in my life, then they will work together with His plan.
I, too, tend to get caught up in the busy-ness of the day. There are so many distractions, it can get overwhelming. I read something just this week that helped me. It said when Christians get overwhelmed with the deails and issues in their life, they should step back. Rather than examining their life through a microscope, they should look at it through a telescope. It can help distant you from the distractions, and help you see the bigger picture.
I live one day at a time with eye toward heaven. I am an imperfect person and wonder how God could ever use me. But scripture is full of how God uses imperfect people to accomplish things that weren't obvious as events unfolded in their lives. We see Gods perfect plan in those things, and I trust He has a perfect plan for me.
Thanks Danny, it was great being with you on Sunday and then again with the Men's prayer breakfast on Monday morning before heading back to Bangkok. The whole idea of how we individually find our story and how we find our story connected with Forest Hill and then in the greater Kingdom is unbelievable. That is why we have been in Missions for the last 34 years. Great being a partner with you.
Steve and Marie Goode
Bangkok, Thailand
I guess the longest blogger away from Forest Hill
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