What's Your Story?

I’m a big movie buff. When Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi came out in 1983, my friends and I stood in line one Friday morning for three hours to be the first in New Orleans to see the movie! My favorite movie is Patton – the epic film about the WWII general who was a bold commander but allowed his temper and loose tongue to be his downfall. I think what I loved most about that film was the fact that it was (and still is) my father’s favorite film and I can remember sitting in front of the TV with him watching the movie while he would add little “explanatory notes” about some of the major historical figures.

The cool thing about watching movies is that in a roughly two hour time span you are drawn into a compelling story. Because the medium of film involves our sight and sound we are made to feel like we are right in the middle of the drama or action or suspense as the case may be. We can’t wait to see if the hero gets the girl, if the sheriff nabs the bad guy, if the general wins the war, if the first term senator from a unnamed Western State survives the senate filibuster (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington), the 300 warriors of Sparta are able to resist the onslought of Xerxes million-man Persian army, or in the case of our faith story, if the people of God hold on to their promised land, or if Jesus truly rises from the grave like he told his disciples he would.

Our lives comprise a story. We may not think of our lives that way because we become so caught up in the day to day rush of events. But if we were to take some time to reflect on the “narrative direction” our lives have taken we would see that there was a plot, there are “plot complications”, character foils, twists and turns, times of moving forward and times of being setback. There are villains to be sure. But there are also a number of heroes without whose help the protagonist of our story wouldn’t be able to move forward and overcome the obstacles in his or her way.

We may be tempted – even as people of faith – to think that WE are the “protagonist” of our narratives. But we’re not. I love New Testament scholar Ben Witherington’s observation on the “story” of Acts. He observes in his commentary on Acts that neither Peter nor Paul are the protagonists of the story. It’s the Holy Spirit who from chapter one of the twenty-eight chapter book stands center stage.

That blew me away when I read it. Luke, who wrote Acts, was telling a story where the Holy Spirit was the main character and everyone else were players.

When I think of my own life, I’m struck by how often “I” place and have placed myself at the center of things. Success or failure were all judged by how it affected “me.” Frustration or overcoming were measured by MY agenda of where I supposed I was heading and where I imagined “I” would one day be. To be honest, it’s a hard way to live. If I were to critically read my life’s narrative I couldn’t help but walk away disappointed – there have been too many mistakes made, too much lack of integrity, too much failure, too many hurt and damaged relationships.

But imagine a different way of reading one’s story – one where the Holy Spirit is the main actor on stage and your life is the context through which the Holy Spirit acts and speaks and lives and influences. When read from this perspective, we see that our lives are a work in progress. The final chapter hasn’t been written. And like the book of Acts which ends with Paul in Rome under house arrest awaiting his meeting with the emperor, we are left anxiously awaiting the “next chapter.” Just what, we ask, is the Holy Spirit going to do next?

Now lest you balk at my treatment of our own personal responsibility for the direction and “story” of our own lives, consider this quote from Paul.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

What would the movie of your life look like with the Holy Spirit as the main character?

When someone asks us about why we go to church or why we believe in Jesus, all that we have to respond with is our story. That’s what the hope we have to offer. Simply put – “if God can be at work for healing and salvation in MY life – He will do the same for you.” And that’s good news, isn’t it.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.