STAY IN THE STORY
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 (ESV)
To live in our Father's story, we must accept that the story won't always go the way we think it should. This can be hard, particularly if you're the type who loves a good plan, but we mustn't shut down when things go sideways. There's never a moment when God is sitting idly by in Heaven just watching and wondering how our lives will turn out. He's always working in ways far beyond what our minds can conceive and is always present even when He seems silent. No tear goes unseen. No suffering is ever wasted. No circumstance is beyond His redemption.
As I look back over my life, I can see how God has woven my story and worked good from difficult things, which gives me faith and hope that He'll also weave good from whatever part of my story doesn't feel good and doesn't make sense right now. So, I keep trusting. I keep praying. I keep persevering. And I keep close to Jesus and hold tight to His promise that one day He's coming back.
We may not know all the details, but we do know that when Jesus returns, He'll bring about the restoration of ALL things. Yes, the end of God's story is good. Very, very good. I'm talking no more tears, no more death, no more pain, no more fear, no more chaos, and we will dwell with God in a perfect new heaven and earth.
One day, you'll fully behold the face of God that you can't see today. The joy that Adam and Eve knew will be all yours. The glory of Eden will be fully restored. John Eldredge describes it wonderfully in his book, Beautiful Outlaw:
My friends, I hope you understand that we get the entire glorious kingdom back. Sunlight on water; songbirds in a forest; desert sands under moonlight; vineyards just before harvest – Jesus fully intends to restore the glorious world he gave us. Paradise lost; paradise regained. A hundred times over.
So, stay in the story, friend. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep believing. The best is yet to come.
APPLICATION: What part of your story are you struggling to trust God with today?
PRAYER: Father, may Your past faithfulness and Your promise of future glory stir my hope and perseverance in my present moments. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?