WHAT STORY ARE YOU LIVING IN?
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 (NIV)
During a childhood trip to Disney World, my family attended one of the 3-D shows. We slipped on our funny glasses and sat mesmerized as the images jumped right off the screen. So vivid. So lifelike. So close. So much so that at one point, my brother reached out to grab one. To his surprise, all he felt was the lady's hair in front of him.
The glasses we wore shaped our perception of the world around us. While it was fun and entertaining, we couldn't really take hold of what they offered. What seemed real was not actually true.
When the show ended, we tossed our glasses and went on with our day. Although we no longer had physical lenses shaping how we perceived the world around us, we still had a lens influencing our view of reality.
We all have a lens through which we interpret life. Think of it like imaginary glasses. These glasses are shaped by our beliefs about God and the world, and these beliefs determine how we interpret and process the world, our purpose in it, and the beauty and pain in this life. Some people see a world where they're their own god and life is all about self and personal pleasure. Other people believe in God but consider Him distant and irrelevant to their lives. Many others only see God as a judge, waiting to evaluate their good versus bad behavior, so they strive and perform for His approval.
While seeing life through these lenses may seem appealing, when you reach out to take hold of what they offer, you'll eventually come up empty-handed. There's only one set of lenses that gives you a true picture of the story you're living in, and that comes from what God has written for us in His Word, the Bible. It's the epic story of a glorious creation, a tragic fall, a remarkable redemption, and the promised restoration of all things.
The Bible isn't just a book to read; it's the context for the world in which we live, and seeing your life through its lens will give meaning to everything beautiful and painful in your story.
APPLICATION: To what extent is your view of God and the world filtered through the lens of Scripture?
PRAYER: Father, give me eyes to see my story as part of Your grander story. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?