Once upon a time…
How many times have you read that opening line? Countless, I’m sure.
Did you ever secretly have the little girl fantasy that a handsome prince would come take you away to a far-off place, just like the princesses in those stories?
That fantasy of the happily ever after in a far-off magical place, with a real-life prince, hasn’t come true for most of us. But you are the main character in a special story that God has written just for you. Your once upon a time was already being written, long before you even took your first breath. Psalm 139:16 (NIV) reminds us that His “eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
He authored the story of your life and it is now like an open book being read for the very first time. You get to see your story unfold; page by page, and chapter by chapter.
But every story must have a good theme. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t keep reading it. So what is the theme of your story; your testimony? Have you lived a life of heartbreak? Has God forgiven you over and over? Have you experienced more than your share of trials? Have you experienced God’s healing hand? Have you been overwhelmed by His mercy, blessings, and grace?
There are also times that God turns the page and reveals a new, unexpected chapter in your story. During those times you may feel stuck somewhere between the pages, wondering which path to take, or lost and unsure where life is going to lead you. It is in those moments that God is waiting to meet you in the wilderness.
When I’m reading a book, it’s those crossroads that I often think about skipping ahead to the end because I just can’t wait for the ending. But the good news with your story is that if you are a child of God, you already know how your story will end. You know that you will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
On that day, when God closes the book on your life here on Earth, how do you want your story to be retold? It is the choices you have made along the way, the lives that you have touched, and your willingness to be used by Him that will determine how others will reflect on your life.
So, until that day when your last page is turned, keep choosing to live your life in a way that is pleasing to Him. Keep showing love. Share the story that He has given you, and use it to glorify Him. And no matter how your story plays out, you will know that it was ALL worth it when He reaches out His hand and says, “well done, my good and faithful servant,” Matthew 25:23.
Lord, thank you for writing my story. Thank you for my testimony. I pray that as my story unfolds I will continue to look to you, whether I’m in an unexpected chapter or whether my story is just getting to the good part. But most of all, thank you that I know how my story will end. But I ask that you help me to show love and help me to use my testimony to glorify you. Amen
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