Living in God's Story

As we enter into God's Story as narrative, a whole new world is opened to us. One of the most significant things that happen when we enter into God's Story is that we begin to get a sense of God's entire interconnected narrative, and we see how it intersects with our own stories. The narrative, in turn, clarifies our place in God's Story and helps us take the focus off of ourselves and aim it toward God and his desires for the World.

This is in direct contrast to what much of Protestant Christianity in America has focused on for the last several decades. Churches have highlighted an individual and personal faith, pointing toward personal devotions, personal evangelism, and personal growth as benchmarks. This way of thinking contributes to the idea that "God is part of my story." Thus, the goal becomes motivating people to make room for God in their own stories and let God play a bigger part. In other words, make God more central.

This seems like a noble focus in some ways - and it's one that I had for a long time. But now I can see that it's backward. Not only does this way of thinking place my own story as the centerpiece of my life, but it also leads me to a never-ending struggle to put God first. Spiritual formation becomes individual process, focused on spiritual disciplines, solitude, and surrender. And while disciplines, solitude and surrender have their place and importance, viewing them so centrally creates a limited perspective.

We need to stop trying to fit God into our lives and stories and realize that God desires us to play a role in his Story instead. As subtle a difference as it may seem, the shift in perspective changes everything. When we see ourselves as a part of God's Story -- as opposed to God being part of our story --it awakens us to live in a broader reality, to live for and contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

Michael Novelli, Shaped by the Story