A couple of weeks ago I journaled about how God's Word is His story written for us to know Him in every way.  I reflected on a recent conversation with my son about how the Bible is full of stories of people that God used but who were people that were totally messed up.  And I pondered how sometimes when I'm reading the Bible it seems there are stories about people that seem insignificant, bizarre, out of place, even random.  But I know God purposed each story to be written in a precise way and placed in that position for a reason that reveals Him and His character and His plans.  No part of His story is insignificant, too bizarre for His explanation, out of place, or random.

I had a phone call on the same day from a friend that began with "I know this call may seem a bit out of the blue, but I feel God is telling me to call you."  Once the purpose of the call was explained and after I participated in the meeting that the call scheduled, I understood a little more of why God had included me.  This call and meeting made me think more about His great story and how each 'out of the blue' part becomes an important revelation of His heart for us.  In His story no word is ever wasted.  No significant moment is overlooked.  No crucial piece is ever left untold.

As I sat thinking on these things I heard Him say "What story am I writing today?"  And I said, "Huh?"  I shook my head, rubbed my sleepy eyes, unplugged my ears and heard Him say it again.  "What story am I writing today?"  My tentative answer was "Mine???"  He smiled.  I tilted my head to one side in wonder and smiled back.  The day played out in a normal fashion and I kept thinking to myself that the Bible is a finished manuscript.  But Father said He was writing a story about me - now - that day - today!  Or was He saying that He was writing a story about Himself through me and my life?

Hmmm…  He didn't finish revealing Himself when John wrote the last "Amen" at the end of The Revelation, did He?  Just like my friend, Janice, said the other night - the Bible is not His only book - He's still writing!  Although the Bible is The Greatest Story Ever Told, it is not ALL of His story.  The story of Him, His character and His plans, continues every day, every moment, every where, in every person.  If we know Him then His story is the story of love and redemption and grace and mercy being lived out in our every moment as we walk as Christ in this world.  For those who don't know Him, His story is the story of love and redemption and grace and mercy being told to their hearts and minds in relentless pursuit of their souls until the end of this world.  And He is writing out these stories in journals, letters, magazines, books, newspapers, billboards, movies, television and more.  And no part of His story is insignificant, too bizarre for His explanation, out of place, or random.

When I think of my own story, some days I would say it is B-O-R-I-N-G and on other days I would say 'who cares?'  And other days I would hope that it isn't being recorded any where because I wouldn't want anyone else to know about it!  But it is still all His story isn't it?  And no word is wasted, no significant moment overlooked, no crucial piece left untold.  I would prefer that it all be a story of a life surrendered to the rule of Jesus and the move of Spirit.  Even when it isn't, it is a beautiful story of His heart of love and life and blessing poured all over me in the good, the bad, and the totally messed up, just like the stories of all those people in the Bible - even the bizarre and random ones.

So today I asked Him "What story are You wanting to write in my life?"  And He says "Mine."  And I say "Cool."  And we both smile.

Father, I surrender my life to Your story.  I want Jesus to live out my life and Spirit to control so that the story the world sees is ALL Yours - the story of Your love and redemption and grace and mercy.  Here is my favorite pen.  Write on.

Smiling,
Amy

Psalm 89:1-3 Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it! I'm forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I'll never quit telling the story of your love—how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives' foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world.