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
8:28 “And 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:
Very well stated Brian. :)
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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.
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