Living Story Grace

This week I am devoting some time to the Synergy conference, where wonderful speakers will gather and women and men will gather to pool resources and exchange ideas about how to minister the gospel to this changing culture.  For more information on the conference or to register, go to http://www.synergytoday.org

I am leading a story workshop on living the gospel in uncertain stories.  Here are a few introductory thoughts:

What does it mean to live in faith in the midst of uncertain stories, and how do we continue to hope?  What does it mean to live in love as we wait?

There are many things as Christians we can be certain about:  God created us and redeemed us; He loves us deeply; He works all things to our good and His glory; Jesus will one day return to fully establish his kingdom and will put an end to all pain and sorrow and disease and death.And yet, there are many circumstances as Christians we have no certainty about at all:  Will the biopsy reveal malignant cancer; will our rebellious child return to God; will we have a job next week?

This is where living the gospel gets sticky.  The Gospel is our core story which calls us to depend on Christ for our salvation in all stories and circumstances.  When we are faced with uncertainty about our circumstances and the fear of the what-if’s, we want to grab control and hold on for dear life.  Living the gospel means to surrender our demand for control and certainty to God.

Even as I write that sentence, I know how terribly impossible it is to do.  I want to hang onto control.  I want to be certain all things are going to work out for MY GOOD.  I think that if I know more I will have more control over my circumstances.  So I enter a wrestling match with God.  And thankfully I have found, He wins.

One of the ways God works in uncertain stories is by reminding me.  When I remember other uncertain stories, I more easily relinquish my tight control on current difficult ones.  When I am able to say, “I remember when my son was a baby on the brink of death and you rescued him…I didn’t like how you did it, but you did it…”  I am more likely to let go and say, “Okay, God, have at it.  This person, conflict, broken relationship, work endeavor belongs to you, and I will wait with uncertainty about the circumstances but assurance of your surpassing love and compassion to see how you work!”

Stay tuned for more thoughts on uncertain stories tomorrow.  Here are some questions for reflection.  I’d love to hear your answers!

What about you?  Do you have some stories that are filled with uncertainty?  What certainty would you like to have?  What certainty can you have?

Are there any similar stories that you remember?  Do they bring more doubt and confusion or do they help you to wait with expectation?