A Compelling Storyline

As the apostle Paul related his amazing conversion story, he gives insight into God's redemption story for us all...let's go to Acts 26:
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
God's story of redemption is indeed compelling, and we are part of that overall story, because Christ died for every one of us - He is the one who opens our eyes so that we might walk from darkness to light, from Satan to God, to know forgiveness, and the riches of God's grace - it's a compelling story, it applies to you and me, and it is meant to be shared!!

We are part of a compelling storyline that is fueled and perpetuated by the love of God...2nd Corinthians 5 says this:
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again

Any "Peanuts" comics fans in the audience?   Are you familiar with "Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life?" Barnaby Conrad and Monte Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, asked 30 famous authors and entertainers to each respond to a favorite Snoopy comic strip with a 500-word essay on the triumphs and tribulations of the writing life.

The all-star roster includes William F. Buckley, Jr., Julia Child, Ed McBain, and Elizabeth George.  Among them is also one by Barnaby Conrad himself, offering the following six tips to writing a great story, in response to a 1997 comic strip....

1-Try to pick the most intriguing place in your piece to begin.

2-Try to create attention-grabbing images of a setting if that’s where you want to begin.

3-Raise the reader’s curiosity about what is happening or is going to happen in an action scene.

4-Describe a character so compellingly that we want to learn more about what happens to him or her.

5-Present a situation so vital to our protagonist that we must read on.

6-And most important, no matter what method you choose, start with something happening!

We have each been entrusted with stories - and, if you have accepted Christ, you have a tremendous story to tell - of God at work in your life and in human history.    The Lord Jesus Himself when He was here on earth shared great stories, engaging stories, that illustrated a higher truth.  

And, on TMH on Tuesday, you'll hear from master storyteller Lisa Bergren and one of the actors in a movie that has impacted so many fathers and families, "Courageous", a movie that is based on - a great story.  You'll find that the Sherwood producers are some of the best story tellers around.    As, you'll hear from Robert Liparulo tomorrow, and as I hear from authors often, they desire to write a really, really good story and then interject spiritual truth into it.   I would put it - injecting the "why" into the "what".

So, we recognize the story of Jesus, who meet us at that intriguing place - humanity's need for a Savior.  And, the setting is an empty tomb or a cross on Calvary, where redemption was purchased for us.   The Bible is full of adventure, centered around the most compelling character ever.   He keeps our attention, and He is at work today - and that is where you come in.   If God is working in your life, then you have a story to tell - as we relate to others what He has done, we are able to point to a compelling God who has loved the unlovely and saved the hopeless, so that His story could continue to unfold.   

Recognize you have a story, and it's His story, and He has enabled you to tell it - so that He might receive the glory!