The Author of Life...

Most anyone who knows me knows my love for books. Any kind of books. Classics. Mysteries. Historical. Inspirational. How-to manuals. Pretty much anything. I could sit in a room by myself for days with a couple of good books and be as content as anything.

As I work my way through stories, I often take a mental step backward and assess my connection with the story, my reaction to what is happening. It sounds much nerdier written out than when I actually do it. But one of the fundamental purposes of books, and the written word in general, is to extend influence, spread ideas, and allow others to react to philosophic principles. So Im not that weird for assessing it (or so I tell myself).

And I have found that applying this principle to life is a powerful way of regaining perspective. As I go through trials or circumstances that I just cant see a resolution to, I can find peace when I back up to analyze my reaction and assess the story. 

Here is an example to better explain what I am saying. When I read a fictional story in which the main character has just lost his wife to illness, I dont stop my whole life to grieve. Part of it is because the story is fictional. Part of it is because I dont have a real relationship with the fictional character. But much of it is because I know resolution is coming. I dont throw the book down and get mad at the author. I dont swear off his books because it was so unfair that the wife died. I just keep reading. I know the next chapter will bring change, and so will the chapter after that. And I trust that by the end of the book, there will be resolution, even if the main character can't see it yet.

When I view my life as a story, all of the sudden, hard situations suddenly become easier to walk through. I think, If my life were written in a book, the reader might think this situation is unfair and is really bad. But they'd think if I could just hold on, I'll find resolution a page, a chapter, or a book away. And honestly, it helps. It helps because I remember then that the Author of my story is One in whom I can trust with my story.

Let faith arise, oh Lord, let faith arise

In the deepest parts of my being, oh Lord

In the most broken parts of me, oh Lord

I say no to the discouragement that keeps me down

I say no to the things that keep me back from You

And this broken heart inside of me

Broken in so many pieces

By so many circumstances

I say no to just letting it stay that way

Because Im learning to believe that its not You that hurt me

Im learning to believe that its not You that deserted me

Im believing that You still love me, brokenness and all

Im believing that Youve got a plan for me

Im believing that You will restore me

I believe that You will awaken my soul

And Im rejoicing in the fact that the Bible says

That You are my Victorious Warrior

                                  (Jason Upton, "Faith")

Paul refers to Jesus as the Author of life (Acts 3.15). He is writing our story every minute of every day. He writes things in we might have never allowed had we been writing our own story. But he is the Author, and so we accept what each page brings. 

We have to have enough confidence in the Author to just keep reading. 

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Lesson for Today: If you ever catch a multi-hundred pound blue tuna, sell it in Japan for some serious bucks.