I like movies. But, oh how
I love great movies because I love great stories.
But, I’ve a confession. I watch the Hallmark Movie Channel. Yep. And, let’s be honest. Hallmark movies are mostly not good stories.
I know. I know. You’re either fussing at me or passionately agreeing. So let me finish.
A good story requires some struggle. Characters who move forward while overcoming some conflict. If there is no conflict, or if the conflict is resolved too easily or quickly, the story is shallow. The characters are weak and unlikeable. And on screen it’s painful to watch. It makes my eyes roll.
And then one day it hit me.
In real life, that’s what I’ve wanted most: to be a weak and unlikeable character. Living a story that was easy.
Or easier than the one I had.
A story where my faith could be loudly talked about but not lived out.
A story where my children would also be shallow and unlikeable, living a story where they’d become all they were created to be without any bumps in the road or wrong turns. A story where happily ever after came much too soon.
I hoped for too long to live in a story that would make my own eyes roll.
But who is the author of our lives? Well, if you, like me, are a follower of Jesus, God is writing the story of your life. Oh yea. We make some choices here and there that requires a bit more ink to be used. But like a great Writer, God doesn’t force His characters forward without any conflict. Right in the middle of our messes and stresses, He is there. He sees us and knows us. He allows us to move through the process of becoming. He loves us through it all.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
EPHESIANS 2:10
Our character develops when we face the conflicts and fears. Our stories move forward best when we surrender our plans,, even our best plans, for His best. When we step into the role to which He calls us.
Hard stories make the best movies. Struggle and conflict. Fear and doubt. Redemption and surrender. So much more meaning in a story like this.
Otherwise, it’s just a story about boring people doing nothing until they die.
Eye roll.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion(A) until the day of Christ Jesus.(B
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Angi Aymond 
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