The Never Ending Story

"To ponder any fact is to be eventually drawn beyond the immediate entity to the very meaning of the universe," quotes Dr. Dan Allender in his book, Bold Love.

Books can change people, more rightly said, words put into a meaningful story have the power to change people. I am finding out this truth reading with my practically a teenager, Bright Girl, by carefully choosing golden books from the tried and true list found in Honey for a Teen's Heart.

But, one Book, the Book that tells the Greatest Story Ever Told, has the redemptive power to change a life from the inside out. The Bible is literally the Word of God breathed into existence by God Himself and written down for us by men indwelt by God the Holy Spirit.

And, the Bible is true, really, all of it. I have seen my own life transformed by faith in the powerful Word of God. I've changed from an angry girl who felt unloved and without hope to a woman filled with an undying love for the One who died for me and an undeniable hope in God's ultimate redemption.

As the psalmist declares, "All Your words are true, all Your righteous laws are eternal." (Psalm 119:160)

Reading the Bible from a historical perspective, or to gain good morals, or attain wisdom is not enough. Unless by the grace of God, the same Holy Spirit of God is indwelt in you, giving you the faith to believe, it's all for naught.

But, once you are enlightened by the Spirit of Truth and led to the Way, the Truth, and the Life--Jesus, your life will never be the same. You will be swept up into the great adventure of the Greatest Story Ever Told. 

Like the Never Ending Story, not only do you read the story, but you become an irreplaceable character with a crucial role to play.

I don't know about you, but between changing dirty diapers, wiping runny noses, and putting up with the daily shenanigans of born mischief makers (I still love my kids!), I get kind of, well, bogged down with the mundane. 

Life without a deeper meaning is boring, a chore, and a never-ending battle against the inevitable decay of our bodies, and yes, eventually death.

Passing my 35th year, midway through life, at least halfway to the grave, really makes me want to live for something more.

Does that mean that I need let my children run amuck, get a make-over, and go out and become someone that matters?

Simply put,

No.

Because God the Father loves me, He wanted to adopt me and make me His child. He did this by sending His Son, Christ Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. I don't need to go out and become someone the matters. I already do matter, to Him. And, he has special work for me to do right in my own home, on a playdate with other kids and their mommies, or on the phone with a friend.

When you become a child of God, all of life becomes part of the Greater Story that God is telling, and you get to be a part of this intricate, intimate, infinite tapestry of grace and redemption. 

And, one day, all God's children will see not just a patch of threads, but the the bigger picture, of God's passion, purpose, and glorious handiwork in working all things out for our good and for His glory. It is the truest and best Never Ending Story, ever.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)