Listen to the Story

We all have our own story. Since that is true, that also means that everyone around us has a story as well. We just don't know all the parts of the tale of lives around us. Each story is powerful because it belongs to each of us and is a fundamental part of who we are. Imagine the change in our culture's compassion if we took the time to stop and listen to other people's stories. We might be surprised at what we find.

Names Matter

As I read through the Bible again this year, I found myself back in the book of 1 Chronicles today. I had settled in to be impacted by the power of God's Word and found myself in nine chapters of names and genealogy. I'll be honest and say that I didn't exactly read those chapters word for word. I know that any part of the Bible is important and that God can communicate through it. In fact, that's what I kept telling myself as I read (quickly) through each list of names. My primary thought however was that I didn't know these people. Most of them didn't have "lead roles" in the early history of the Bible and weren't taught in children's church, youth ministry or in many adult worship settings. Their names just didn't mean that much to me.

Of course their names meant something to someone when they were alive. They were important to their families and obviously important enough in the story of God to be mentioned. Each person played their part-both good and bad-in what God had done and was continuing to do. The brief mention of their name was an homage to their personal story and the contribution they made to where we are today. It may not matter much to us, but I know they matter to God.

It ended up being a more valuable lesson than I anticipated. What are the names of people around me that I don't even know? What part are they playing in the story that God is continuing to write? Am I willing to care enough to see their significance and acknowledge that our combined lives are part of God's larger tale? 

I need to remember this simple truth: every name matters because it represents a life that matters. 

Once Upon a Time

The common misunderstanding about the Bible is that it is two different tales. The Old Testament is the story of a God that is judging and damning of people. The New Testament tells of a God that loves His people and would do anything to save them. The truth is that the Bible is a metanarrative (an overarching story) that declares the same consistent theme throughout each part. It tells of a Kingly Father who created us to love Him and has done everything that He can to bring us back to Him since our separation of sin. The root of the story doesn't change-God is always good and has been working since the beginning of time to reconcile His people to Him.

We each play our part in this overarching theme of love, redemption, and restoration. It starts with our commitment to Him, but that is only the beginning. We get to have input in what our part of the story says and how we want it to reinforce what God is already doing. He tells us that if we will delight in Him that He will give us the desires of our hearts. I firmly believe that He takes those passions and weaves them together with others to advance His Kingdom and transform individuals into a collective tale of majesty, power, and perfect will.

I know that the story ultimately ends in heaven, but I am also challenged (and a little anxious) about the impact that my story will have while I am here in the middle of it. The beauty of living out my part in this grand adventure is found in sharing that experience with others along the way. It creates an epic telling of life that reinforces God's Holy purpose and His desire to share that story through the transformation of His people.