A Tale of Two Stories

There are two stories going on at the same time.  In the second story, there is no author.  The characters have created themselves, and it is up to them to find some kind of storyline.  However, no storyline can really be found.  Because of this, they begin looking to the best-looking, the most talented, and most shocking characters around them and begin to imitate them.  They get frustrated, because of the seemingly meaningless existence they are living, and soon turn to temporary fixes to give them at least short-term pleasure- food, sex, alcohol, shopping, sports, politics, drugs, etc. 

In the first story, however, there is an Author.  The Author has laid out a plot, a storyline, revolving around the Central Character in the story.  The characters take up supporting roles in the story, each finding his or her part in the storyline unfolding before them.  Instead of looking to the best-looking, most talented, or most shocking characters around them, these characters look to the Hero, the Central Character, and begin to imitate Him.  What is important to the Central Character becomes important to them.  What bothers the Central Character bothers them.  What makes the Central Character happy makes them happy.

The second story people look at the first story people and think they are odd, weird, stupid, or downright crazy.  They can't imagine anything bigger than their own temporary pleasure or meaningless existence, and when they see first story people risking their lives to love others, giving up comforts and pleasures for a greater cause, or their love of the Central Character, they criticize and tear down.  

When God cleanses us of sin, He does more than just that.  We usually have a good sense of what we have been cleansed from, but do you have a good sense of what you have been cleansed to?  When Christ died on the cross for us, He took away every sin the people of the world would ever commit.  Amazing truth.  However, by His grace, He has also called us out of the second story, in which all of us have lived at one point or another, and called us into the first story.  It's a radical call away from  . . . . ourselves.  We are invited, by His grace, to take part in a story that makes sense.  It's the story of God, this first story, and although your role might seem strange or dangerous or difficult, the good news is- we know how the story ends.  The story ends with the return of Jesus- the triumphant King, evil vanquished, all wrongs put to right. 

I want to be a first-story person.  I know I have a role in all of this, and the rest of my life will be dedicated to seeking that supporting role to the Central Character in the story:  my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I wish no longer to look to the best-looking, most talented, and most shocking people around me for my values, my leaders, and my examples.  I simply want to look to Jesus.  I know that will get me in trouble- Christians have been getting in trouble for that since day 1.  But I know how the story ends.  In that, I find hope.