His Story

Normally, a story is the culmination of a team’s efforts. It requires years of writing, editing, rewriting, review, and a multitude of editors, publishers, and patience.

Your story is different though. So is mine.

It was written by one Author. An Author Who's pen never wavers, hand never shakes, Who memorized every word before He made it known. My story isn’t just my “10-day story” that I think about constantly, it isn’t my “gymnastics story” that seems really important to me, it isn’t the story of what happened on my 17th birthday or on March 21st, my story is so much bigger than that. It’s being written by God. Really, I just play the role of a character in God’s story, my part is only a page in the much bigger book of history. It starts with being wonderfully and fearfully made, it includes running a race that has been set before me, and I want it to end with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” The epilogue will contain an eternity of glorifying God and rejoicing to be in His presence. Nothing in my life has been left to chance, every twist and turn was known and the Hero has already conquered the Villain, I have already been saved from the grasp of evil and the rest of my story will reflect that. I’m excited to see the impact it will have on the other characters and even the story as whole. I can see my story being written and I don’t know what the next part will contain, but I’m willing to wait and pray that it points to and glorifies the Author.

History is always His story. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, completely sovereign, everything that happens is known and controlled by God. Wars rage, lives change, sickness spreads, but all of it is just another chapter in His story which will end in all who are saved living, “happily ever after” in a Kingdom where every sorrow is gone. The Hero has never changed. The pen has never wavered. The antagonist has always been the same. Sometimes minor characters come in as villains, but they leave just as quickly. These enemies are seen or unseen but always effect the story only as much as the Author allows. They are sent from the main antagonist and their purpose is to distract our attention from the Hero, even to attempt to thwart His glorious conclusion. The antagonist has already been defeated though, and his doom is sure. Every catastrophe, disaster, and trial only serves to bring the story closer to its predetermined end. These attacks by the enemy also demonstrate the strength of our Savior and draw characters closer to Him.

I know these are trying times. But I cannot wait to tell the stories of this decade to future generations. I’m excited to see what the next chapter for our world will look like and how the Lord is moving to draw His people closer. We will see the resilience of the church, see it play a major role in stepping up to help others. We get to see kindness in the face of selfishness and hope in the midst of panic. Fear and tragedy can push people to Christ. One day, we will get to see how this page in the story plays into the bigger picture. Every crisis ushers in change, and friends, our world is changing fast. I pray that in the midst of this terror we don’t forget how our God is writing His story. So what role will you play? If your name is written in the Book of Life than you will not fear. Your Author knows the conclusion and is making it known, your part is to wait, trust, and pray. Yeah, there is going to be conflict, there will be villains seen and unseen that attempt to bring you down or blind you to the bigger picture, but you have a Hero that died and rose again for you. The conclusion to your story is an eternity of glorifying a perfect God in a home where every tear is wiped away. Waiting faithfully is hard, the ending is worth it though.

Powerful Truth.

Things change in an instant. Emergencies are declared, bombs go off, explosions occur, ships sink, plans are ruined, worlds turned upside down…all in an instant. When we don’t know the right answers and everything feels like its dissolving into chaos, there are truths that remain unchanging. I have nothing else to cling to right now, so I’m clinging to these truths.

WHO HE IS:

Creator, Father, King. Sovereign and eternal. Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. The commander of hosts of angels. He is Love. A healer. The God of peace and the God of hope. He is my strength when I am weak. Holy. Just. Merciful. A mighty fortress, a strong tower, my rock, and my shield. He is faithful and good. My God loved me enough to send His only Son as a sacrifice for my sins. This Son, Jesus, is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lamb of God. Blameless and perfect. He is Prophet, Priest, and King. My savior, mediator, friend, and shepherd. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Fully God and fully man. He is the One who was beaten, mocked, and falsely accused, the One who wore a crown of thorns for me. The author and perfecter of faith. Immanuel: God with us. Son of the living God who defeated death: the conqueror of sin. Peacemaker, justifier, propitiation. Judge. Everlasting. Unchanging.


WHO I AM:

I am a daughter of the King. Broken. Beautiful. Created. A masterpiece. Loved. Made new. Justified. Blessed. A messenger of hope. A light in the dark. Ambassador to the nations. I have no reason to fear, I have a spirit of power and love and discipline. Adopted. Fully known. Commanded by my King, I live to serve Him. The yoke I bear is easy because I rest in Him. I am the one who can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I am joyful. I am free. I will run my race in faith because He ran His and bore the cross for me. I’m a sinner, a saint, and a sufferer. Alive in Christ. Ambassador. Child. An heir to the Kingdom. Blameless. Redeemed. Bondservant of Christ. My future is known by my God and it is one with hope. I was ransomed by the spotless, perfect Lamb. My soul purchased by His blood. I have been called to a new life. I am forgiven, saved, and healed. A believer. I am chosen. I am His.

These lists are imperfect, but they are a starting point. Our God is a great God and if our identity is in Him then we always have hope. This is who I am and that will never change no matter what chaos hits me next. Who are you?

A Song For Everything

Music is really powerful. It draws us in, captures our attention, and gives us something to cling to. The kind of music we listen to can effect our moods and outlook on life and it has the capability to bring us hope. Country singer Maren Morris wrote a song called, "A Song For Everything" in which she talks about exactly what you would guess from that title. People have written songs about almost every situation and feeling you could imagine. In our rough spots and our happiest moments relatable music can be found. The following songs are ones that I've clung to and repeated constantly in the last two weeks. Most of the lyrics communicate a message I've written about before. Some of the songs aren't necessarily "Christian" music, but they all have an uplifting message. I haven't posted all of the lyrics but I highly recommend you listen to these songs and see what you think. I wrote a little bit about each song, but it's mostly just thoughts that I get from the lyrics. So here you go, a few songs that have really helped me recently.

"Love is a Good Thing" by Andrew Peterson:

It'll wake you up in the middle of the night, it'll take just a little too much.
It'll burn you like a cinder till you're tender to the touch.
It'll chase you down, and swallow you whole, it'll make your blood run hot and cold.
Like a thief in the night it'll steal your soul, and that's a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
It'll follow you down to the ruin of your great divide,
Open the wounds that you tried to hide.
And there in the rubble of the heart that died
You'll find a good thing.
Cause love is a good thing.
Oh love is a good thing.

I have never understood love. Love hurts. Both giving and receiving it is so hard sometimes. But it will change your life, and that's a good thing. Let love into your life, it's worth it.

"Blessings" by Laura Story

We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

This song has gotten me through so much. It's hard to see the trials as a good thing, but God uses it all in our lives to shape us and bless us. Each disappointment, hardship, and trial reveals our desire for what this world can't satisfy and helps us have an eternal perspective. The storms of life should drive us closer to God, and that's a blessing.


"Homecoming Queen" by Kelsea Ballerini

Do people assume
You're always alright?
Been so good at smiling
Most of your life

Does it get hard
To have to play the part?
Nobody's feeling sorry for ya
But what if I told you the world wouldn't end
If you started showing what's under your skin
What if you let 'em all in on the lie?
Even the homecoming queen cries

I skipped some of the lyrics to this song for a reason, but the concept is really powerful. It's easy to get trapped in the role of "homecoming queen" and feel like you have to be perfect all the time. There is good news though: you don't have to be perfect. Let people see what's under your skin and show them the real side of you.

"Costume Party" by Lauren Duski

I've got this closet filled with ways for you to see me
But none of them fit me
And I walk around and play pretend so you'll believe that
I'm who I want to be
But what if I let you see who I am?
And what if I could show my flaws and not be sorry?
'Cause I'm over this whole costume party
And I can't seem to remember what it is I'm so afraid of
But it's all I've ever known
And I'm so tired of worrying about

What they must see if I leave the mask at home

This one basically has the same theme as "Homecoming Queen": Be real. Take off your mask and let people see you. 

"Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn

I will praise you in this storm

This song sums up my week. I keep praying but the storms keep coming, attempting to drown out God's voice of hope in my life. Yet every tear I've cried is held in His hands and He has never left my side through the struggles. He is faithful regardless of how many times I've been faithless. This song contains so much hope.

That's five of the songs that have meant a lot to me recently. Music has power to bring us hope and prepare our heart, use that. There is a song for almost every situation you could be in, every question you've cried out to God, and every high you've ever felt. And when you find those words that impact you, cling to them.