Imagine that your life has been documented by a famous writer, and the story of your life is sitting on thousands of bookshelves and Amazon.com screens. Would it be a page-turning story? Would anyone read it?
These questions had never occurred to me until I heard Donald Miller speak on the power of story at Willow Creek several years ago. He challenged the audience then, as he does today, to live more interesting stories. As Miller asks in a recent blog post, “If I were a character in a story, what decision would make the story more interesting?”
What makes for a page-turning story? Overcoming insurmountable obstacles, risk, conflict, reaching for an impossible goal, come to mind. Um…can I live a comfortable and safe story instead?
Maybe not.
This week my husband will finish four years of study toward a Master of Divinity degree. I’m very proud of him, especially after watching him study Greek and Hebrew vocabulary, read piles of books and write dozens of papers. He will now launch a second career in ministry, and I admit that it feels like uncharted territory. I suspect we’ll experience change, obstacles, challenges, conflict and maybe even some risk.
I trust that God has brought him this far, and me with him, for a good purpose. I trust that the Lord will reveal the next step just in time for us to take it. I trust that this chapter in our life story will be rewarding, fruitful and interesting.
I’ll keep you posted.
Have you ever intentionally made a decision to live a more page-turning story? If not, what might that look like in your life?
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the word of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17
Connecting Dots...to God 
It is amazing to see how the Lord directs our steps, isn’t it? And now I am encouraged by your wise words:) Thanks!
This was an encouraging reminder to me! Thank you! “It is better to aim for the impossible than to be content with the inferior.” -Karen Andreola “In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9
Thanks again for those wise words to round off my day!
Oh, and much, MUCH congratulations to you and your husband! I can only imagine the hours upon hours (and years!) it took to reach this goal. Please pass on my congratulations to him. There shall be challenges, no doubt, but we can rest assured of our mighty God that stands not behind or in front, but right beside us in moments of fear and uncertainty. 🙂
Thank you, Cara:)
Judy,
I really enjoyed this post. As a writer, I am constantly asking myself questions about conflict and resolution; most of the time, I am doing my darndest not to inflict my characters with my choices and decisions, ensuring they remain autonomous. But . . . I have always wondered about how “I” might act in these same circumstances and situations. On a day to day basis, my life would make a pretty dull biography, but as a whole . . . I would hope that there might be a handful of times where my purpose was fulfilled, that the Lord’s plan were made possible through me. I believe it is knowing that I need not “do” anything, that I may best “be” who I was made to be.
“I trust that the Lord will reveal the next step just in time for us to take it.” I adore this.
Blessings,
Cara
Cara,
“…a handful of times where my purpose was fulfilled, that the Lord’s plans were made possible through me.” That is an excellent hope. I am also encouraged by your thought that our “being” is more important, and probably precedes, our “doing.” Sometimes I get a little over-focues on the “doing.”
Thanks for your thoughts, and may you write excellent, page-turning stories both on your word processor and with your life!
Judy
I have to say… That episodes in life which would make for page-turning story-telling are seldom COMFORTABLE. But knowing God’s got your back, the journey is more than worthwhile! 😉
I believe that, Kana. I always enjoy reading about your story:) Thanks for stopping by.
“…Have you ever intentionally made a decision to live a more page-turning story?…”
Yes, I have, but I’m waiting for the page to be turned.
Congratulations on the next phase of your lives.
Me too:) Thanks Larry.
Congratulations to you and your husband, I pray that He will have a ministry that will give glory to God and fully equip God’s people. I would have to yes to your question, and while I was making the decision I started off by saying yes to God, and looking back I see that following Him is not boring and it will add all the things that makes stories worth while.
Thank you so much,Thomas. I appreciate your encouragement, and I’m glad to know that a “yes” to God is a “yes” to a worthy story. May he bless you and your story!