November 9, 2009, "The Story We Get To Be A Part Of"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by: Teresa Criswell

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
~ Psalm 139:16 ~

Flipping through the pages of the leather bound book left me in great wonder. The pages filled with words making up the beautiful, redemptive, love story. The leather bound book? The Bible.

It's truly a history book, filled with characters possessing personalities bigger than life. These people that came before us; saw the wrath of God, the great love of God, they saw His great exhortation of words over their lives, they saw great favor. They saw and experienced His great grace and mercy. The great tests and trials that impacted their lives as they relied on God. Many took unimaginable unknown journeys in their faith in God. The characters in the New Testament that got to walk with God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, it leaves me with this 'righteous jealousy'. I so wish I could have been there in the flesh, like the woman with the alabaster box pouring oil onto Jesus' feet and wiping His feet with my hair. O, what a thought.

As the thought of these great characters who knew God in such a powerful way, I take a moment to think of the people we have the privilege to know. Our family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers, we get to be a part of the story in each others lives. It's quite wondrous to see that God has written a 'book' about each of our lives, and we get to be a part of the amazing love story, will our story end with Him or without?

I'm sure as we go through different seasons of our lives, some of us may feel like we are part of a comedy. Some may feel like they are part of a mystery novel. Others may be in a season of romance or a season of great sadness and betrayal. The characters we encounter and those that encounter us, what kind of character will we become in each other's lives? Will we be the character that assists? Will we be the villain or bully? A foe? A sidekick?

I am reminded that I want to be a sidekick as Jesus is the main character in my life. As He is the main character in His story, I want the other characters to be effected in ways words could never articulate as it glorifies God. Well, for me, I desire to rely on Him on staying humble and loving others, especially when it is so difficult. I may not be able to love with my own love; however, with His great love through me; I can become part of His story that would glorify HIm.

As the pages in our life turns, let us focus on the main character; Jesus Christ. Focus on our Salvation Who allows us to experience the 'setting' of Restoration, Renewal, and Refreshment in God.