Leaving The Pen In God's Hands

Many authors like to outline before they write a story. Chapter by chapter, scene by scene, detail by detail. I'm not that writer. Yes, I do like to have at least a general idea of where my story is going. I brainstorm a lot before writing the book, but I don't outline as much as some authors do. Because I like the journey of writing, the thrill I get of seeing how the details of the story will unfold.

I'm the same way in "real life". I can't start from page one and write an entire book without brainstorming or planning the least bit, nor can I not have at least an idea of what my life will be like six months down the road. I do like to plan. To dream about my future every now and then, which could be compared with brainstorming a brand new book.

But I've realized that the pen of my life is in God's hands, not mine. So when there's a twist in my story that I wasn't at all expecting, I have to trust him. I have to remind myself that God is the author of my life, that he knows where I'm going and how I'm going to get there. He knows the ending. And even though I can set the course of my life to an extent, it's ultimately the Lord who will direct my steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God doesn't want the ending to be spoiled for us. He also doesn't want us to know how we're going to get to where we dream of being. He just needs us to trust him. To know that he's still in control even when things happen that we weren't expecting.

We tend to wish life was always easy, always happy. Everything the same. No need for changes or for growth. But how boring would that be? In a book, the main character doesn't grow unless the author throws in a few challenges for him/her to deal with. A conflict that the protagonist was not planning on happening to them eventually happens. But they learn. Every author includes conflicts in their story because they know it'll bring about a better ending. Same with God.

"Outlining" the details of our lives will only bring about dissapointment. Because sooner or later, we realize that our life has not at all been going the way we originally thought it would. Then God ends up getting blamed for it. Although he does want us to at least have a general idea of where we'll be headed in the future, we shouldn't know right away the steps we take to get there. We don't need to. Because life is much more exciting when we read the story page after page. When we follow God and watch where he leads us - step by step - as we walk in faith with our hand in his.

To become the person that he wants us to be - to get to the point you need to be in order for him to use you - we have to be stretched at times. Go through trials when we have absolutely no idea what God's doing, or wonder at times if he still even knows that we exist. But in the midst of it all, we grow. We learn to rely on him rather than ourselves. And when the storms blow over, we can look back and see how God held our hand through it all and see how nothing that happened was a surprise to him. In fact, it was all written for a purpose.

So when rain comes, don't let go of his hand. Actually, hold on even tighter, trusting that the storm will turn into a rainbow. And when you get to those times when you aren't pleased with how things are turning out and are determined that you can write your story better, leave the pen in God's hands. Watch and see what he does.

Because no one has the ability to write a story better than the Author of Life himself.

ALREADY THERE
Casting Crowns

From where I’m standing
Lord it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me

I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can’t control

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side

From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life

And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit

~~~

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,

'plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'"

~Jeremiah 29:11