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The Hero of the Story

Posted by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries
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No doubt all history in the last resort must be held by Christians to be a story with a divine plot. - C.S. Lewis

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves - Col 1:13

It's natural for us to see life as an on-going story where we are the central character and the hero. It is our biography, happening in real-time and we have been cast in the starring role.

If we're the hero and the star, where does that leave God in all of this? Well, He's the author, of course, carefully weaving the situations and conditions into a plot which assures a victorious outcome for the hero. Like all good authors, He is making sure the hero overcomes all conflict in the end while the villains get the justice they deserve.

This kind of perspective can lead to some serious disillusionment. If we're the hero, shouldn't we have a better job, fewer problems and more adventure? Shouldn't the story have a more interesting plot than this? Sometimes it feels like we're not living the life we would have chosen for the hero, and that can leave us feeling bitter and disappointed. What kind of author is God, anyway?

If you assumed, as many do, that God is just the author, then we need to make a few small corrections. It's absolutely true that God is the author, and He is indeed weaving the plot to ensure the best outcome for the hero. Yet, God is not just the author, he is also that hero. The story is about Him.

Does this mean we are some small, bit player in the drama? Not at all! We may not be the hero, but we are the next best thing. We are the hero's beloved who has been separated from Him and locked away in a terrible dungeon. This particular chapter of God's story is about how the hero fights and wins many battles in order to rescue His beloved. In the end, they live happily ever after.

So, here we find ourselves nearing the climax of the story. From outside the dungeon walls, God calls to us, "I have come for you. I have endured many trials, won many battles and even lost my only Son in order to rescue you. I have unlocked the doors. Come out now, and let us leave together."

The dungeon we're in is a peculiar one. Many of us do not know we are even in a dungeon, and some don't want to be rescued. Inside the dungeon, we are the hero. Despite the terrible conditions, we are in control and no one can take that away from us. We fail to see that we are the hero of nothing -- an empty, lonely life in a cold and desolate world. Yet, we hesitate to leave the security and eminence of our own story to join ourselves to another where we are not the Hero. And so, God waits patiently outside the walls hoping that we will at last truly desire the unimaginable love which awaits us in His story when we choose to be with Him.

It's almost impossible to understand how anything in life is supposed to make sense when we cling to the notion that we are the hero and that God is crafting a story just for us. In that context, how could we ever hope to explain the pain, loss and suffering we all experience? When trouble comes, as it always does, part of us wonders, "How could you do this to me, God?"

The answer makes more sense when, with the proper perspective, we understand the story simply is not about us. The story is not about a happy ending here, on earth. It's not about fame, wealth or success in our career. Those things may or may not be made available to us depending on what God is accomplishing in our lives, but they are not the hero's reward and we are not the hero. No, this chapter is about our happy ending with God in Heaven, while the entire story is about His eternal glory.

When things don't make sense in our lives, we should not ask, "Why me?" Knowing our proper place in the story will help us to ask instead, "What do you want me to learn about you from this situation?" and "How can I help you to accomplish your will through me?" Maintaining the right perspective will go a long way towards keeping us from the bitterness and despair which await those who demand the starring role and insist on maintaining control.

When we have the correct point of view, we will learn to trust the author and the hero. Secure in the knowledge that He loves us and has come for us, if we will only just trust Him and leave the dungeon behind, He will take us home to His kingdom. We can maintain that trust even when the particular details of the plot are difficult to understand. No matter how hard life becomes, regardless of the dangers we will face and the losses we endure, we will never stop following His voice as it guides us out of the dungeon and into His loving arms.

Comments


Thank you for this wonderful reminder that God is the author of the beautiful plan of salvation and the perfecter of our faith! I accept His rescue!
6/1/2008 3:30:42 PM - anonymous


I'm in the middle of a life altering and cluttering experience where I question "Why God do you allow this to happen?". This was certainly timely to be reminded of the correct point of view. It's also good to be reminded that the happy ending is with God in Heaven, not via my circumstance on earth being fixed.
6/3/2008 6:03:02 AM - anonymous


My husband and I are facing a potentially devastating situation. This devotional was just what I needed. It's so easy to slip into a "Why me?" mode and so good to be reminded that it's not about me. It's all about Him, and He will use this situation to make me more like Him as I simply trust Him. Thank you.
6/3/2008 4:37:59 PM - anonymous


Thank you for the reminder, Yes its true sometimes we keep on complaining, Lord why me..and the Lord should say why not? Yap why not...because we are not the hero, it is God who is the hero. Its true that sometimes we forget our purpose why we are here on earth, we forget that we are just a visitor who is invited by God to live in His house for him to use us..for us to labor for Him..we forgot that we are only a servant of Him...a servant that is so blessed because inspite of being a servant of Him He provided everything for us...because He loved us so much...and He guard us all the time so that we will not be harm. Even if we are a servant of Him, He didn't treat us like a servant in the world but he treat us with respect & so much freedom because He give us the free will to choose wether we will follow Him or not...what a great master! isnt it. He is the only master that has unending compassion & understanding towards his servant, He is the only master who knows everything of us & He is the master who died for the goodness of His servant. What a great master,,,Lord Im so sorry if sometimes i forget that you are the hero, not me & so instead of asking why me Lord, I will try to say: Lord, whatever you allow for my life, i will do it because I want to please you & I want to follow you because I am your beloved servant.
6/9/2008 12:37:59 AM - anonymous


It is always a good reminder to us all that GOD is the author of our lives. We are not the hero of the story, but he is!!!! We all go through trials and tribulations, but with our trust in GOD we always make it through. I'm just like any other human on Earth I have gone through enough trials to wander why I am even worthy to be loved by GOD. He does love me and he loves you as well. Trust and life gets much better!
6/15/2008 9:53:15 PM - anonymous


Oh my, this is just what I needed at this particular time!!! Thank you so much for reminding me that it is not about me, it's all about JESUS!!!
6/23/2008 11:38:19 AM - anonymous


I would like to present this devotional at our Wed Nite Bible Study as an invitation to accept Christ as our Saviour. Will this be O. K. ?
6/29/2008 10:02:16 PM - anonymous


Yes, absolutely, you may use this devotional for your Bible Study. We would be delighted. I will pray that it is well received and that the Holy Spirit works powerfully among those gathered. Please drop us a line and let us know how it goes!
6/30/2008 9:28:53 AM - arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries


I am going through some tough personal issues i seem to not be able to let go. After trying so hard on my own will i sometimes forget that God is there to rescue me and help me out. It seems that when i fall back into these temptations i lock myself back in that dungeon. This devotion could of never come at the right moment. I have some really great oppourtunity's ahead of me and i dont want to fall back in that dungeon so im letting go and letting God accomplish his will through me. Although its tough because we are humans we must die to ourselves because if we dont we are like a self destruct bomb that can blow at any second. But God will still love us.
7/29/2008 12:46:12 PM - anonymous


This is such a powerful devotional! I love the image of God,the hero, sweeping down to rescue me from those things that separate me from Him and His Love. It makes me feel like a princess beset by a dragon. So often that is the dragon of my own wishes and desires although I do not see it at the time. My will, instead of God's, creates those dragons from which I cry to be saved. This states the obvious so clearly. This is God's story not mine. I am only the legs, hands, lips and heart of Jesus on earth. It is not about me. That takes off a lot of pressure.....but I do suffer from short term memory loss. I need the lesson again and again.
8/3/2008 4:06:00 PM - anonymous


i just lost my father. i was praying that he gets better from his sickness, and that is what he also wanted, but he didn't. for a moment in my life i couldn't understand why God can do such a thing to me, i couldn't understand why He made me to cry. i thought of all the people that suffered the same sickness as my father, but got healed. for a moment i felt like i was a failure. i felt like my enemies were laughing at me. i always wanted to be the hero, that every prayer i pray should be granted. i always wanted that God listens to me, but now i understand, i understand that i have to be the one who listens, that everything happening in my life is God talking, and that He talks in different ways, sometimes He talks through storms, rain and sometimes sunshine, and that in all those forms the only thing i need to do is listen, be still and trust that He is God, and that whatever is happening He is doing for my benefit, and that He is the only one who knows the future and i don't. Though it is not going to be an easy thing to do, but it makes me feel better now that i know that my life is not about me but about HIM through me. Thank you for this devotional, GOD BLESS YOU!!!
8/12/2008 6:40:19 AM - anonymous


this hit me hard!! I'm struggling right with alot. You see I played professianol basketball for 11 years. In some kids eyes I was their Hero. I loved that butt you know I use to speak for FCA all over and I stop because I let Satan win. But lately GOD hit me real hard saying it not about you anymore. I know now my calling isn't wining ball games but WINNING SOULS for MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. I'M BACK INVOLVE IN YOUTH AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK THIS MESSAGE TO MY FCA GROUP ON THURSDAY. I would like everyone to pray for me JUST say COACH AND GOD WILLKNOW WHO YOU ARE PRAYING FOR. I want to live for him every single second of my life. I want my kids to see him in me more then anything else. I want to serve him to the fulliest as human we think we can solve everything. God is my light and love for life.
"In JESUS NAME I SERVE HIM DAILY"
8/19/2008 1:39:23 PM - anonymous


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