The Unfolding Story of God

Before the Bible was available in written form, God’s people relied on stories that were told and passed down from generation to generation to learn about God. 

We are so fortunate in the 21st century to have the Bible. However, we can be tempted to think the story of God ends there, but it does not. God’s eternal story continues to unfold in you and in me. My story is God’s story; your story is God’s story. We have to see it that way, and we need to tell it that way. 

Every day, in every situation, God continues to unfold his eternal story. Think about all of the experiences you have had in your life and what you learned from them. Each of those is a story that could glorify God and bless someone else. 

Maybe your story can teach me something I need to learn. Maybe it will encourage me or inspire me in some way. You see, God’s eternal story is unfolding in you right now, and if you can get comfortable telling it, your God story will glorify God and bless others. 

Let’s look at some of the stories of people personally impacted by Jesus: 

I was dead, but Jesus brought me back to life. 
I was lame or blind or mute or deaf or paralyzed, but Jesus healed me. 
I was a sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet with my hair, but Jesus forgave me. 
I had a withered hand, but Jesus restored it. 
We had no wine for the wedding, but Jesus turned water into wine, and then we had the finest. 
I was a leper, but Jesus healed me. 
My mother-in-law was sick with fever, but Jesus healed her. 
I had a demon, but Jesus cast it out. 
I was caught in adultery and condemned to be stoned to death, but Jesus forgave me. 
Our boat was overcome by a storm, but Jesus calmed it. 
There were 5000 of us hungry, but Jesus fed us. 
My ear was cut off when I came to arrest Jesus, but he restored it. 

Do you notice that the New Testament writers chose to tell stories that culminated with “but Jesus”?

Jesus came and tended to those hurting, and he did what only Jesus could do. They were forever changed, and then they had a story to tell. A God story. A story of God’s love and faithfulness. A story that took the emphasis off of self and placed it on God. A story that could gave the glory to God. 

What we don’t get to hear in these stories is the last part. Then what? What did they do with their renewed health? How were they changed? How were their lives transformed as a result of Jesus’ healing them? 

This is where you and I come in. If we can learn to tell our stories, our God stories, we can tell the “then what.” We can tell how we were transformed as a result of God working even in the midst of change, even in the midst of our pain. We can tie the bow on the story. 

As you consider telling your story, it might be helpful to think of it as a simple story arc: who I was before, what changed, and who I am now. 

I was married, but then my husband died, and now I am alone. 
I had children, but then they grew up and now I have an empty nest. 
I was healthy and ran 5K’s, but then I developed these bad knees, and now I have trouble getting out of a chair. 
I had a career I loved, but then I retired, and now I don’t know what to do with myself… but my other retired friends are living their best life!

Now, take your simple story and add “but God,” not to minimize or take away your pain, but to show how God worked in your life in the midst of change, in the midst of your pain. 

Here’s how the story arc might have looked if the NT writers had added the “but God” part.

I was crippled and spent my life sitting at the city gate, but Jesus healed me, and now I can not only walk, I can work to support myself. 
Our boat was overcome by a storm, but Jesus calmed it, and now I know with certainty that he can do all things. 
I was caught in adultery and condemned to be stoned to death, but Jesus forgave me, and in doing so he taught me that even though man condemns me, God loves me and forgives me. 

For you, it might look like: 

But God was with me 
But God comforted me 
But God showed me 
But God taught me 
But God provided for me 

Anything that gives the glory to God and his working in your life and in your healing. It is not designed to minimize your pain or to diminish the effect this thing had on you. 

The purpose is to give glory to God. To acknowledge that he is present and at work in your life. To look for and give thanks for what he is teaching you, or the ways in which he is providing what you need, or the lessons you are learning about God or yourself in the process. 

There is power in your personal story, yet some of us are reluctant to share our stories, or we tell ourselves that our stories have no value. 

In the meantime, the eternal story of God continues to unfold. So, tell your story, and you will find that just like in the stories of the Bible, your story will point to God at work in your life. 

Your God story is your testimony to the faithfulness of God. It acknowledges the unfolding story of God in your story. You become a part of God’s story when you acknowledge God at work in your life.