Before time began, God wrote the story for your life. He wrote you into His Master plan and purpose and gave you a role that only you can fulfill. So, how can you be sure you are living out the STORY God has written for you? Here are five decisions every Christian should make:
S—Surrender
Mary’s script for her life changed the moment the angel visited her and told her she would give birth to God’s Son. Her response? “Be it unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). If you’re at a point of surrender: Let go and let God do the writing.
T—Trust
Jochebed had to learn to trust the Author of her story when she placed baby Moses in the river. Probably not what she envisioned for her goodly child. From Jochebed, we learn to trust an unknown future to a known God.
O—Obedience
While surrender and trust are matters of the heart, obedience involves concrete action. Esther actively became part of God’s script when she went before the king to plead for her people. “…so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16) Like Esther, embrace your role and live out your faith and obedience with courage!
R—Rejoice
When Hannah prayed to the Author of Hope, she rejoiced in His loving promises and fulfillment. Though it was a time of testing in Hannah’s life as she prayed for a son, she rejoiced in the goodness of God. “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:1). Don’t forget to rejoice in the God who answers prayer!
Y—Yield
Mary and Martha learned to yield when their story gave them reason to stress (as in, Jesus was coming to their house!). In the busyness of life, Mary demonstrated what it means to purposefully sit at Jesus’ feet. “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42). Like Mary, choose to daily yield your life to Christ in big and little decisions. In busy times and in quiet times.
So, how do you live a good story? How do you fulfill the story written by God for you? Surrender to Him, even when its difficult. Trust His heart when you don’t understand. Be obedient to His commands even if you don’t know all the details. Rejoice when you’re living through a trying chapter. Then, yield. Enjoy the story written by your loving Father. “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told” (Psalm 90:99).
