Stay in the Story

Yesterday John Podesta, former White House chief of staff to President Clinton, criticized the current President for “losing control of the narrative.” It’s a polite way to say that the White House is letting others write their script. This means that instead of leading effectively and setting the course, they are reacting to events. It isn’t my intention to comment on his observation but rather to ask - Whose writing the script for you? Are you sticking with the main storyline that God has written for your life?
My own short life history include many sub-plots that I never anticipated! Six weeks ago, I would have laughed if you told me that I was going to be sidelined for major surgery in mid-February! But, the main narrative which is about doing the will of God as I obey His Word and ultimately about making my home with Him in Heaven, when the credits roll has never been out of my mind. From my teen years to the present, the ‘story’ has directed my decisions. Some have a story that is about accumulating wealth. Others write their story around finding pleasure. What’s your story? What overarching plot moves you forward day to day and gives your life purpose?

Paul saw the church in Corinth going off story, sidetracked from serving God to being consumed with the novelty of self-centered religiosity. He declares his commitment to the Gospel story. He said, "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, … I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. … My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power!" (1 Corinthians 1:22, 2:2,4 NIV) It’s not about miracles. It’s not about impressive philosophy. It’s about Jesus Christ who died to save us! The Christians in Corinth had lost the narrative. They thought their spirituality was found in speaking in tongues, in worship that was marked by confusion and disorder done in the name of the Holy Spirit. They were impressed by the ‘prophetic’ performance of speakers who wove words together with mesmerizing skill. Paul brought them a reminder of the central plot – to know and serve the Savior who died to save them and rose to promise them eternal life!

Are you sidetracked by sub-plots?
Are you spending inordinate amounts of time trying to work out things that won’t really amount to anything of substance?
Are you letting your energies be consumed by trivialities that are not part of God’s story?
Have you surrendered the script of your life to others, reacting to them instead of purposefully doing God’s will? Stay in the story!

Paul wrote those words about his single-minded focus of life early in his public ministry. History reveals that he lived them! About two decades later, he was once again reflecting on the course of his life, this time as he was imprisoned and waiting execution at the hand of Caesar He had stuck with the Story. He was not filled with regret or remorse. Note the anticipation in the words he penned to Timothy. "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NLT)

I love those words!
Fought, finished, faithful!
Prize, crown, given to me!
Now that a great summary of the plot line.
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In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light my strength my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease?
My comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand!

No guilt in life, no fear in death!
This is the pow'r of Christ in me.
From life's first cry, to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell. no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand!
'Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!

In Christ Alone
© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Keith Getty
Stuart Townend

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