Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your life story was a book in the Bible?
I never have, really. Until I read something today in one of my devotional books.
So, the thought struck me – what if my story was in the Bible?
My initial reaction was, "Heaven forbid!" (Literally! LOL…)
You see, my story is a bit *checkered*.
My story includes events that I am terribly embarrassed and ashamed about. Circumstances in which I often did the unthinkable. I caved in to temptation, I sinned willingly, I walked a far way away from God.
There are lies and betrayals – big sins and little sins – and often, a woeful lack of faith. There are weak moments and ugly moments.
Yes, some moments of spiritual soaring.
Some really, really boring parts.
But, in the end, it is a story full of reality.
Just like the Bible.
Hmmm.
And that is what struck me today.
My devotional was talking about the life of Jacob.
And here's what it said:
"As we look at the panorama of Jacob's life…we see again that his story is really about God, not him. Looming in the background…we see a God who has higher purposes, who works out his plan despite Jacob's insistence on doing it himself…we see God in the shadows before him and surrounding him…reminding Jacob of the promises God still intends to keep…we see God filling in the gaps...
God doesn't need perfect people to do the things he has planned…Each believer is chosen by God [and] nothing can change God's love for us."
(From "Meet the Bible" by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn, c. 2000, Zondervan Publishers)
Jacob's story wasn't always very pretty. He was deceitful and selfish. He often tried to take matters into his own hands. He wrestled with God.
And yet, in all of it, God was weaving HIS story.
So…
What is He saying in my story?
Would the book of Sharon be an inspiring story?
Would it be convicting?
So, as I find myself in my 5th decade (chapter) and my 8th year (verse) of that decade (I'm 58 - 5:8 - get it?!) – what is my book saying about God?
Would people read about my childhood, when I loved the Lord as my best friend?
Would they see how I was a good girl, a church-going Christian – involved in so many serving things?
Would they see a marriage and children?
Would they then see the "detour" I took in life?
Would I be pitied, or chastised, or condemned?
Would they turn the page and see the prodigal return to the loving arms of the Father?
Would they see that my story is really HIS story?
Because it is, you know.
A grand story of His faithfulness, His guidance, His love.
Just another installment in the overarching Saga of Mankind. Another installment in God's epic and exciting story of redemptive Love.
So, I've wondered...
Would I be anything like Job or Abraham or David?
Well, yes.
For I am just another of God's chosen *misfits* – loved by a perfect God.
It would be wonderful if, at the end of the day, my book included something like this:
"In the land of California, there lived a woman whose name was Sharon. This woman was blameless and upright; she feared God and shunned evil." (original reference, Job 1:1)
"Sharon believed God, and God counted her righteous because of her faith. She was even called the friend of God." (original reference, James 2:23)
"Sharon, a woman about whom God said, 'I have found Sharon, a woman after my own heart. She did everything I wanted her to do.'"
(original reference, Acts 13:22)
What if my story was in the Bible?
It would be like every other story in the Bible. It would be like your story. Because it's about a real person, trying to live real life – full of ups and downs, successes and failures, moments of glory and abject shame – a story in which God is looming in the shadows.
Behind me, beside me, before me.
And this is how I would like it to end:
"And in the end, God welcomed Sharon home. And as He embraced her, with a twinkle in His eye He said, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"
Amen.
 |
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. |
If your life was a book in the Bible, what would it say? How would you like it to end?
Linked today with:
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
I love the picture of the sunset Sharon! I think you laid it out so well about all of us could be like so many in the Bible with our lives, but definitely it is God's plans weaved out through our days and years. I'm definitely a misfit here too :) I want my book to end the same as yours, "well done good and faithful servant" :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your story. I will have to think about mine. My childhood and early life would be different. The rest, well I think enough said for now. Maybe one day, we should all share as much as would be appropriate of our lives. Our conversion, or our welcoming back.
Thank you for sharing this. God Bless - Nita.
I loved this thoughtful post, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteOh, I only hope and pray that God would know my heart and how much I love him and want to serve him!
Love you!
Thought provoking post, love you.
ReplyDeleteLove this post. Made me think and that's good that 'iron sharpens iron'. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLove this Sharon! and the coded chapter, verse!!! Especially love how you personalized scripture to being Sharon.
ReplyDeleteYou will love Margaret Feinberg's "Pursuing God's Love" I shared and noted to you at POYL! Hope to get to *Heart* condition and other posts soon. I still need to visit that adorable Marty post! (sigh) Just not enough time!
I so love your photo FINISH! I believe we each hope our story will end like yours and His! Eternally...
Thank you for your gift of writing and inspiring us!
Love and peace,
Peggy
Stopping by to give you a hug. sandie
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, wow, what an awesome post. Certainly something to think about. I would want anyone reading my story to see that I continued on, I didn't give up and was welcomed in by my Lord and Saviour. Great post my friend, thank you for linking it up and thank you for your encouraging comment. I appreciate it and you
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Hi Sharon, this is my first time here, and I am now your newest follower. I am visiting from Pamela's blog.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did here today! I too, was a prodigal child at times, a bit to worldly. Think of our testimonies though, "I used to be like this, and then I came back to the Lord and things ended up like THIS, and it was because of him."
God bless,
Kathy M.
I never thought about having my story in the Bible. We're pretty hard on Biblical characters and the faults we ascribe to them. I think it my story was there I'd want the story of grace and redemptive forgiveness to shine through.
ReplyDeleteSharon I absolutely love this! I have told the ladies in my class before that the main character in God's Word is God. All other characters just help us understand Him and His glory.
ReplyDeleteI once had a Bible study teacher (Beth Moore, I think) tell us to begin one more verse at the conclusion of Hebrews 11.
By Faith Debbie...
How I have missed stopping to visit blogs. Today is the first day in two weeks that I have done so. Doing it in fits and spurts and while I wait for grout to "rest".
I think the grout is getting a bigger rest than I am.
I'm like Pamela. I've never considered my story as being part of the Bible. But in fact all our lives tell His story.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteAs always, an awesome post to read. Wow, my life, I grew up in Church, but wanted nothing to do with God. I grew up and went my own separate way. But God had other plans for me. Over the last 10 years, people would be reading about a changed life, if my life was in the Bible. I want the final words to be said by Jesus, "Well done, my good and faithful servant..."
Blessings,
Ken
What great thoughts to ponder! Seeing Jesus is every chapter and verse of my life would really be a beautiful thing even in the ugliness of my own life! It changes the perspective a bit doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteRemember the Gaither song 'Something Beautiful'?... this reminds me of the hope and truth of that song. God takes us, works with us and makes something beautiful of our lives, in spite of us! And I also pray for the smile on God's face when I see Him. My dad used to say 'may I be known at His throne.'
ReplyDeleteAlso... I worked at the Pasadena Van De Kamps the summer before I went to Westmont. I still remember the holland outfit and hat, yikes!
Great look at things, and I believe you'll hear those words you hunger for --- well done, well done indeed
ReplyDeleteSuch a good post, Sharon...on so many levels. Your insight is a blessing :). xo
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, thank you for sharing this beautiful, vulnerable post in the Faith Jam at FaithBarista a few weeks ago. Checked we are... imprinted on the palm of His hands. Our story a book in the Bible? :) Loved thinking about this, friend. May God continue to speak into your heart, for your voice reflects Jesus to us!
ReplyDelete