.........................................
The
Story of Life
Joan Benson
What
exactly is a story anyway?
One
definition refers to story as a narrative, an account of events or experiences,
either fictitious or true.
As you
know, stories develop as the main character works to overcome each and every
obstacle, sometimes successfully, but sometimes not.
Stories
grow – usually building interest through an escalating development of events
leading up to a peak, the most dramatic and suspenseful place, where an outcome
cannot yet be presumed.
In
classrooms, this framework is often referred to as a “story mountain.”
From that
high point, the story’s climax, tension declines and the author begins tying up
loose ends, ultimately coming to the resolution.
As I
reflect on my life, I can see some distinct parallels to the story structure I
once taught children.
I can
look back down my “story mountain” and see miles of events.
It’s all
there with its various goals, milestones, obstacles, and defeats.
I see
answers to prayer where the Lord carried me through trials and led me to higher
ground with overcoming victories.
God was
faithful even when the waters ran deep, fires raged, and unimagined grief was
written into the pages of my life.
Now in my
seventh decade, life on the “mountain” looks different.
Though
it’s possible for great achievements to be written, in place of lofty goals, I
have a restless stirring in my soul, and an accompanying desire to prepare for
this tale’s resolution.
As a
Christian, what does this mean?
Ultimately,
my earthly story will conclude; I will enter a new joy, living in the presence
of the glory of God … a heavenly eternity, the promise of salvation!
Jesus says in John 10:27-28 NLT: “My
sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal
life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Unending
joy and perfect peace await when this story ends.
But, I
ask, what about the here and now of my earthly story?
Reflecting
on the sappy-sweet holiday movies we watch, it seems all misunderstandings and
obstacles are overcome in the last ten minutes of air time.
Obviously,
in real life, we are not assured of such fictional, happily-ever-after endings.
However,
God did not leave us without instruction.
Romans 12:19 NLT tells us: “Never pay back evil with more
evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all
that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
As I
stand looking back at my life story, the Lord has refined my focus with
clarity.
In Luke 10:27 NLT, Jesus tells us simply how to prepare for
the resolution: “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart,
all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor
as yourself.’”
As I
encounter various trials of aging, I am increasingly aware that this mortal
shell will not make it out of this story alive!
The clock
keeps ticking, but that’s okay.
In 2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT, the Bible tells us, “… we
expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves, and learned
to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT explains that we are to “encourage
each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
So, with
a laser focus on my life’s resolution I will aspire to walk daily with praise
for my Savior and love others the best I know how.
My legacy
must illuminate the core theme of my life story: Jesus Christ is Messiah.
Can God
change your life?
God has made
it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in
your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You
can also send us your prayer requests.
Joan Benson is a freelance writer, a former
reading specialist, a wife, mother of 4 adult children, and a proud grandmother
to eight cherished grandchildren. Joan has written other devotional materials
for CBN.com. She has written articles for LifeWay’s “Parent Life” magazine and
developed children’s Sunday School curriculum for over 12 years. Joan has
published many magazine articles and is currently completing an historical
fiction young adult novel. In addition, Joan continues to write for an array of
educational publishers, developing both teacher and student reading materials.
Visit her blog - https://bensonjj.blog.
Joan and her husband, Jan, live in Chesapeake, VA.
https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/the-story-of-life
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