The Road Before Us
Over the last number of weeks, we have spoken about the fact that we are part of a grand story. Our lives are entwined in a magnificent production with God’s great wisdom and breathtaking power guiding things along. Today I ask the question, what now? While we understand that God involves us in His grand epic, while we know the plots of the story, is this tale over? No. Not by a long shot. If you are a history buff, you will understand that after the 1944 invasion of Normandy, when the allies established a foothold on the European continent, the outcome of World War 2 was determined. The Nazis would lose and the allies would win the war. Despite the inevitable end and outcome, there were still battles to be fought. Many lives still hung in the balance. Fighting in Europe would continue for another year. We live in such a time. We know what has come before us. We know the characters in the story. We know the conclusion that has been promised, but there is still more to be told.
Where we are in this story is still a dangerous place. Much more so than we would like to imagine. The sad fact is that much of our world is oblivious to what has happened, what is happening, and what is yet to come. This news and these insights will never be reported in the evening news. Unfortunately, such information is rarely spoken of in many churches. We belong to a narrative that has eternal implications and consequences. People need to understand what this life is about, why we have life, and where this life is headed. Why? Because one might live and operate differently if one had the whole story.
The final test of any belief or faith that claims to provide an answer to life is this: Does what you believe explain the longing of your heart for a life you have not found? Does it explain the evil that surrounds us? Most of all, does it give you a hope that leads you to the source of life? Something has been calling you all the days of your life. You have heard it in the music you love, in the laughter and tears of this life, and most especially in the stories that have captured your heart. Deep down we dream and hope that there is a valiant hero, a savior who will fight the evil forces in this world for our well-being. This is the story, the gospel message of Christianity.
What is your part? What is your role in the story? In truth, the only one who can tell you that is the author of this great story. To find our lives and to embrace our purpose, we must turn to Jesus. We must yield our all to Him and embrace the redemption that He offers. We must ask Him to make us all He intended for us to be. God is the one who has the authority and the power to enable us to be what He planned for us to be. The story God is telling reminds us of three eternal truths it would be wise to keep in mind as we take the next step. The first truth is that things in this world are not as they seem. There are far more things going on around us than meet the eye. The second truth is that we are at war. This is a love story, set in the midst of a life-and-death battle. If you will look around, it is easy to see all the casualties strewn across the field of this world - the lost souls, the broken hearts, the captives. We must take this battle seriously. This is no child’s game. This is a war for the mind and heart of each person. The third truth is that you and I have a crucial role to play. It is a dangerous thing to underestimate or discount the role we have in God’s story. We have reached the moment where we must find our courage. We must rise up and fight the good fight. This good fight is a high-stakes conflict. Our hearts and the hearts of others around us are at stake.
While we do not know when the end will come, we know that most of the story has been told. As a matter of fact, Jesus calls for us to be ready for the end of this drama. We must anticipate His return. We are called to live as if each day is our last. As C.S. Lewis often said in his series, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” we must be dedicated to moving onward and upward. There are great sacrifices to be made by those who choose to follow the way of King Jesus. This is the Gospel challenge. This is the story we are living. May you and I play our parts well as we trust in our great God. Keep looking up!