There’s the lone girl on the beach, watching contentedly as her friends play in dark waves beneath the moonlit sky. Now she’s sitting on a train, trying to catch glimpses of the lives of those who inhabit the clouded windows of the skyscrapers she passes. Journaling in the empty rooms of a museum. Studying beside an open window to hear the pouring rain. Sipping coffee as she walks the city streets beneath dappled afternoon shadows.
I’d be lying if I claimed this picturesque existence was my daily impression of life. To be honest, I’m more likely to open my mouth and complain rather than idealize my current situation. The beach was so busy and loud. The train was dirty and the man sitting across from me seemed creepy. My feet hurt from standing so long in the museum, the open window lets in the sounds of sirens, and why did I get a hot coffee when it’s 88 degrees and humid out here…
Perspective is what quickly changes my hallmark movie life into the dull and busy monotony of a college student… and vice versa. Now, I’ll say up front that I’m not supporting the idea of imagining your problems away. Idealizing a struggle does not solve it, and it can actually damage the way you sympathize with others by minimizing what they’re going through. What I am saying is that there’s a two sided coin here: it’s fun to feel like the main character of a novel, giving the world around you a special and sentimental tint. And the main character never goes through any struggles, right?
Oh wait…
It certainly depends on the kinds of novels you’re reading, but your protagonist’s conflict (an element necessary for good storytelling) could vary from an old love coming back to town, to a wizard dragging them off on a dangerous quest. While your conflict might not be the dragon-slaying type, it is still a necessary part of your story.
Because that is what we are. One of the main players in our own stories. Stories full of sweeping landscape shots and cozy close-ups, quiet reflections and witty banter… full of idealized, romantic moments, and deep, scarring sorrow. Stories lift us up and give us escape because we see ourselves in them. They give us hope for our own grand finales, even if we don’t consciously recognize it.
“In Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:16
God is the ultimate author of the story we are living. When I plan for the future and see doors opening, that knowledge is a great hope. When I see the stars and laugh with my friends, that fact is a call to praise. When I struggle with sin or experience loss, that statement begs the question of why. Why have you written my story this way?
I think that question is one every believer has asked of God at one point or another, and I will not try to answer it in a blog post: but what we can see from scriptural examples (Job, Joseph, and even Jesus) is that suffering serves a purpose, and it’s not forever.
“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
To be perfect and complete… to lack nothing. That seems like an even better ending than most fictional characters get!
So to try and pull a moral from this web of musings, maybe just let yourself lean-in to the romanticism a bit. Find joy in the little things like sunshine or coffee or a cute outfit. Catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and smile at the uniqueness of your life. God fashioned it especially for you to walk through, and I’m sure it brings Him joy when you notice the care He took to write your story. Hardship will come and it will hurt, but like any good tale, it is all towards a satisfying ending.
And if there’s anything true about our God, it’s that He knows how to finish a good story.
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Revelation 22:20-21
Namárië friends! Until next time!
An inspiring message so beautifully expressed, as always! 😉 I am so happy to hear that you are seeing the unique beauty and personal attentiveness of our God in the small details of your days, and that the joy He provides you in those moments refuels you for the challenges along the way. Also I’m just happy to see you enjoying the city with your lovely friends! 😘 God is such a good, good Father!
This is the very first thing I have read that you’ve wrote Audrey and I cannot wait to read more! So much truth and wisdom in your beautifully written words.
*written – I have no clue how to edit my comment😄
Wow. . . I have to say that despite the numerous times I’ve read the verse saying that Christ is “the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2), I always thought of it in terms of Him planning for the work of salvation from the beginning.
But you made me realize that not only is He the author of the greatest rescue in history, He is OUR author as well, and we truly are HIS characters! He plans our lives and knows us better than we know ourselves, for we are the result of His careful and thoroughly imaginative design. He places obstacles in our way, knowing that in facing them we will grow and be challenged in ways that are far beyond what we could think ourselves capable of, but that will ultimately bring us closer to Him. He does not create us as side characters – who are present in His mind at times but may disappear from view at times – but He instead is with us always, watching and guiding as we walk our paths. And as the characters we writers craft become people in their own rights in our minds, developing personalities and oftentimes making decisions without our input, the Lord granted us free will, giving us the chance to learn, to try, to soar, to fall. . . each of us slowly becoming who He always knew we would be, drawing nearer to Him each step of the way. It is a beautiful parallel, and I thank you for drawing it, as it shall not soon depart from me; as I journey alongside my own characters I will now continually consider how God is journeying with me. (Though I must say I’d wager He likely proceeds in a much more linear fashion than I tend to!)
I seem to have strayed from the point of your discourse (then again I suppose not really, but certainly at least from the titular concept) so to bring things full circle, I couldn’t agree more about perspective. Our focus is a precursor to all our actions and decisions, and there is nothing better than to rest that focus on Christ and the blessings He provides: they are there in even the most dismal moments. . . if we but take the time to look.