If you've ever picked up a book, you know that there is always a beginning, middle, and end to a story. There is a transition from the beginning to the middle, and from the middle to the ending. Also, there are transitions between sentences. There could be a period signifying the end of a sentence. There could be a comma, which means there is a pause. Or there could be a semicolon, which means it is the end of one sentence, but it is still connected to the next one. All of these transitions can be compared to the story of your life where God is the author. A period in your story could mean God has something better for you, so He is ending that sentence and writing a new one. The comma could be a pause or a waiting period. Maybe God is making you wait on a promise, so there is a comma in your story. The semicolon could mean that one part of His plan connects to something else down the road; He isn't finished with you yet.
Any good author begins a story with a plan or a message in mind that he or she wants to send to the reader. The pages in your life story serve as a metaphor for God's plan. God's plan for the story of your life is to let people know through you that He died for them, and that they can live free from sin. Where does your story begin? As you read in my last post, it begins with salvation. God gives each person a unique testimony of redemption. He created life in the very beginning and He has a specific plan revealed in His Word (Jeremiah 29:11). Each person has different strengths and weaknesses. Just as an author creates characters and their personalities, God has created you and knows what you are capable of. Each person has potential to become a "best-seller", but you have to be willing to let God (the author) lead you to the next page. A story is nothing without good characters, and God has chosen you to help spread the message of the gospel. The goal in life is not for you to live for yourself, but to live in such a way that others see Christ in you.
Let's imagine that God holds a pencil in one hand and an eraser in the other. At the beginning of your story, when you first get saved, there is a blank page. As you begin to make choices in life, the pages start to fill up. You might make some mistakes along the way, so it's a good thing God writes your story in pencil. He can erase those mistakes as long as you confess your sin and repent. If you've messed up and think your story is over, it isn't. God is willing to forgive you, erase your mistakes, and give you a fresh start: a blank page. It's up to you whether you allow God to continue writing or if you try to write your story on your own.
So, I want to pose a question to you: What does your life story say about you? Is God's mark clear to see? When you receive Him as your Savior, He will write your name in the book of life, but you have to make a commitment to serve Him and share His truth with others. Think of your life as an empty page, an open book. Pray for guidance and ask God what His plan is for your life. When He makes that clear and you obey His voice, the pages of your story will reflect the beginning, middle, and end He has for you. The end of a Christian's story is eternity in Heaven. But you can't get there living to fulfill self; you have to give your life so that sinners can see Jesus and receive salvation. Let this be your prayer: "I'm an empty page. I'm an open book. Write your story on my heart. Come on and make your mark. Author of my hope, maker of the stars, let me be your work of art. Won't you write your story on my heart?"