The BIG Story

In my most recent blog post, I attributed my love for fiction to my sweet, strong, thoughtful Momma. This was only half true. She most certainly is the one who taught me how to love fiction; the one who stoked the fire for story that burns deep in my soul. But, to tell you the truth, she is not the one who lit the fire, neither in my soul nor yours.

I will often point out to people that we are characters in a story: real characters with real arcs, who create real dialogue, and whose actions have real outcomes… all written by a real author. I’d like to amend that statement: we are not characters in a story. We are characters in THE story, written by THE author.

To be crystal clear, we are not the hero of the story. We are, on our best day, a virtuous side character. Now, let me pause there and take a moment to point out that side characters are simply wonderful. In the world of fiction, they share in the responsibility for the outcome of the story. The One Ring does not make it to Mount Doom without loyal Samwise Gamgee, who is one of my favorite characters of all time. When I think of these supporting characters, my heart still swells with joy. My mind takes me to Samwise Gamgee, Dr. Watson, Bob Newby, Mr. Tumnus, Lucy Pevensie, Han Solo, Inigo Montoya, and Alfred Pennyworth. They are characters who we know and love. However, my point remains: while they get to be a part of it, the story is simply not REALLY about them (and it’s better that way).

THE story is not about us, either.

Like Samwise, we get the splendid opportunity to be a part of the story. We are allowed to enter into the adventure and be characters of great value. However, in this case, our story - THE story - is about the Author. Which for us, is good news of great joy, because it just so happens that the Author is true, good, and beautiful.

Suddenly the weight of the story, the outcome, no longer rests on our shoulders. We are free to be characters on an adventure. We do not have to share in the weight of moving the pen and creating the story. We share in the distinct pleasure of allowing the Author to oversee the plot points, and trust in him to write a good ending. (For the record, it’s a better story than any of us could write.)

I have been beating around the bush for the entirety of this blog post, so I would like to be very bold and clear in what I say next. The Author’s name is Jesus. He’s writing a cosmic story of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. His story is full of virtue, adventure, courage, and grace.

The story goes like this: God loves you, despite yourself :)

I beg you to rest in the Author’s story. To seek out Jesus and enjoy relationship with him. It’s what the whole story is about. So be a good side character and join in on the adventure.

“Here I sit in the presence of queens and heroes and magic. Yes, magic. It is only when we have grown too old that we fail to see that the Maker’s world is swollen with magic – it hides in plain sight in music and water and even bumblebees”

― Andrew Peterson, North! or Be Eaten