Stories

I've always loved stories. Once I start a good story it's really tough for me to put it down until I'm finished. Clever plot points, character development, and intriguing situations keep me glued to the story.

The best authors always make you fall in love with their characters basically by tormenting them.  I read Amazing Spider-Man for years and even though the book switched scribes numerous times, the one thing that remained constant was each writer's willingness to subject the web-head to tragedy after tragedy, heaped on happenstance after catastrophe. Most modern fiction is much the same, be it TV, novel, or blockbuster.

If you ever sat through an English or Literature class then you probably learned some of the basic elements of a story.  Notably the concept of building (or rising) action and the climax.  The most talented authors weave all of these different elements, not only into the larger story itself, but also into the individual chapters or segments of their tale.

From a theological perspective, I am so glad to know that what holds true in the realm of fiction couldn't be further from the truth in terms of our relationship with God...or more accurately, His relationship to us.  He is above and beyond sovereign.

We can not altogether understand all of the good things He has lined out for His kids.  We just can't.  And God certainly has good stuff planned for us.

I'm not the kind of preacher that will stand in front of an audience and proclaim that just because we're Christians that God will shower us in fancy cars, fine homes, and fat wallets.  I believe that is a dangerous sort of dialogue that leads to disappointment.

However, I absolutely believe in the principles passed down through Jeremiah 29:11 and 1 Corinthians 2:9.  God has great things in store for His people.

At the end of the day, every day, I rest well; knowing that my destiny is penned by the Creator of the cosmos, the Savior of the world, the author and finisher of my faith.

Greatest Expectations

Just nine short weeks ago I had a birthday.  It was a fun day spent with people I love doing some of the things that I really enjoy.  This morning I was thinking about how much my life has changed in these last two months.

When September began I was firmly entrenched in all the awesomeness that goes with the hectic activity of fall semester startup as a campus missionary.  I was building great relationships, meeting awesome people, planning exciting activities, and awash in all the social buzz surrounding each of these things.  I had just returned to school to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in multi-media journalism.  In the realm of entertaining hobbies, things were looking more than chipper as several of my favorite stories were due to make big screen appearances or hit DVD; and the holiday season for video game enthusiasts was poised to blow the mind of every digital junky that owns a controller.

And then…

Three days after my birthday Jamie walked into the room with a little white bag and handed it to me.  Inside was a pregnancy test.  Results? Positive. 

In the days since she handed me that little bag a lot of stuff has gone through my mind.  This morning as I was reflecting on these things I was drawn continually to just how my expectations for this next year, and life in general, were forever changed by a simple little white bag.  It reminded me of the verse I put in my block in our high school annual my senior year.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" – 1 Corinthians 2:9

When September began my mind, my heart, and my soul were engaged in all the great things that I have come to treasure, love, and expect about my blessed life.  As November dawns I see that my expectations were great, but God’s expectations are the greatest.