When my son was young, he hated to read. He reluctantly accepted assigned school reading, but it was never without complaints. As any rant would begin, I would always tell him the same thing: “You haven’t found ‘the book’ yet.”
He knew what that meant.
For a long time, in my best mysterious voice, I had told him there was a book out there so captivating he would not be able to put it down. I convinced him when he found that book he would enjoy reading. But not until he found it! It was a gamble, but I spoke with such confidence that it kept him curious. I remember the day he came out of his room and announced he had found “the book.” (Aren’t we always amazed when a parenting trick actually works?!) It was a biography of a WWII veteran. It was a reader for his fourth-grade history class, but it did the trick. Now our house often speaks of cliffhangers and plot twists. It is common to hear someone saying, “I didn’t see that coming!”
I didn’t see that coming. The greatest compliment to any good book, right? Who isn’t enthralled with a shocking story line or a well-constructed narrative? I think we all love the twists and turns of any saga as long as it is within the confines of a book. It is fun to watch characters take a 90 degree turn or ride an emotional rollercoaster. But what about real life? More often than not, “I didn’t see that coming,” is tied to a difficult situation.
I have recently found myself uttering that phrase while gripping the railings of my own personal rollercoaster. Where is this going and could it please slow down?! But in the midst of this wild ride, there is a truth that continually brings it to a halt:
“All the days ordained for me have been written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16
God is the author of The Book and my days have already been written in it. So, I have a choice to make. I can spend my time flipping back and rereading old chapters, trying to figure out how or why the plot took a radical turn. I can try to mentally rewrite the story to better prepare for or completely avoid this unexpected turn. Or I can take a deep breath and turn the page forward. Trusting that the Author already has the story written. That He has perfectly lined up these events that have led to this specific bend in the road.
I have decided to turn the page.
My family and I are starting a new chapter! Welcome to my first entry and stay tuned for what I know will be an adventure! Next week I will share more about our adventure, but for now let me encourage you with your storyline. Are you in the midst of a personal plot twist? Do you feel like you are on the edge of your seat hanging on to your own cliffhanger? Don’t get stuck in the surprises of your storyline. Turn the page. Trust the Author.
One final note: I have titled this blog Living Intentionally and my goal is to do just that! At the end of each entry I will give you a one minute opportunity to join me in whatever I am currently striving to do.
Be intentional Take a minute right now to prayerfully trust God with one area of concern. Though you lack clarity, trust that He has it and will reveal it in time.
