My Story and Gods Story…

Posted on | March 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Last night at Syndal Baptist Church – I shared about how it is that both people and God have lives that “tell a story”. The best story for my life to tell, would be the story of God… as if I lived that – I’m most likely to be fulfilled, I’m most helped when the story doesn’t go to plan, and I’m most hopeful about the future.

I shared some insights from four characters in the bible. I’ve listed below the passage of the bible from which I drew the ideas, and the insights that I shared as part of the message. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you were there!

The first person we looked at was Mary, the mother of Jesus – especially the story of her finding out from the angel Gabriel what it was that God’s story for her would be… you can read it in Luke 1:26-38. I think her story teaches us these things about God’s vision for our lives ::  It is often more significant than we expect, Its often richly connected to His vision for others, and most importantly it will play a significant part in what His plans for the world are.

The second person was Nehemiah, a leader in his time who had proven himself worthy of the trust of his King. He heard a story about the condition of the home of Gods people (you can read about it in Nehemiah 1 & 2), and his dissatisfaction and sadness became a catalyst for him leading people towards changing that situation and rebuilding the walls. I think Nehemiah’s story teaches us these things about God’s vision for our lives :: Gods vision often springs from dissatisfaction and discontent. Its often a next step, re-creation or growth movement. It will sometimes start out as a good idea, but must progress to become a conviction.

The third story was the story of Esther – a beautiful woman who become a Queen. Other peoples choices directed her life, and she found herself in a good and safe place despite the dangers of the time. In a difficult time for her people, a friend shared with her the possibility that all the choices others had made, and all the circumstances she had found herself in were perhaps purely for a “time such as this” (you can read the story in Esther 4). I think her story teaches us these things about God’s vision for our lives ::  Gods vision may only be for a season, and will be for more than just “you”.  We are in many respects always already where we are meant to be… but need his eyes to see why. It will often involve risk, require courage and faith to fulfil.

The final story we looked at was the story of Balaam, which you can read in Numbers 22:21-41. Balaam was a godly man, with a tendancy to do what God wanted him to do when it was of benefit to him. God asked him to do something that didn’t fit that category – and so he tried to avoid it. But God stood in his way – and spoke to him through his donkey! I think this story teaches us these things about God’s vision for our lives ::  Gods vision can take you by surprise, and his ways of speaking too. Our happiness is not always the goal of Gods vision, sometimes its just the right thing to do. We must pay attention even to the donkeys in our lives… because they might be speaking for God!

There are lots of other stories that could be told! Those four had lots in them.

The key to whole thing was that in their own ways – their submission to the person of Jesus, and the will of God was their own choice. The challenge for those of us today who want to know “Gods Will” for our lives, is to ask ourselves how willing we are to do what He asks.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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