Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Upper Story


Isaiah 55:6, 8-9 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

During our third and final Session of our Church Conference in Downey, California, the Keynote Speaker Pastor Randy Frazee of Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas gave an inspirational story about how he grew up in a non-Christian family and his Grandmother giving him a Bible at an early age. He knew that there was something in that book that he really needed to know. But when he took it off the shelf and read it, he couldn't figure it out. And he was not alone. When church members were surveyed about what they wanted most at church, the number one was: to understand the Bible - a critical key to knowing what you believe and being able to live it out. The gospel is Genesis to Revelation and the point of the story of creation was that God wants to be with you and I. Pastors and teachers have to let people see God’s upper story in the lower story of our lives and to know that the story isn't over.

Romans 8:28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

We lived in the decision of Adam until God sent the second Adam for our restoration and since that story has not reach the final chapter, we are all characters in God’s story. Our sin nature keeps us out of the Garden and no sinful man could get us back, for their sin keeps them out. We need a Savior and God demonstrates His power as Jesus is the way to restoration. Realize that there are two stories going on in the Bible and in life. The lower (antagonist) story works within the upper story (protagonist) story and God works with it all. God is colliding our stories and is making something good out of them.

Genesis 50:20 You intended evil, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

The question is: What kind of character are you going to be in that story? Are you and I in concert with God’s bigger plan? If you and I want to guarantee that our life means something “good” in the lower story of our daily lives, then disciples need to align ourselves with God’s upper story. Aligned, something good will come out of it, in the unfolding of God’s story. Isaiah had it right: the biggest idea we can have is too small for God. Our job is to make sure that everyone understands “The Upper Story” that they are loved (John 3:16-18). There are opportunities to do big things, but also opportunities to do small things that make a difference in people’s life. Do not under-estimate the part that God has called you to play in His upper story and look to Him for direction.

Let’s see ourselves as characters in God’s story and align our lower story to His upper story.


In Christ, Brian

2 comments:

child of God said...

Very well stated Brian. :)
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Brian Ray Todd said...

We are far too short-sighted and far too easily distracted in our lower stories, and need to keep God's upper story in focus daily. This side of Heaven, it take a conscious effort and self-discipline to do so. Align our lower story to His upper story and live the "abundant" life! Thanks for writing Child of God.