Periodically,
I will be a guest contributor during this sermon series. Today I’m there
talking about how our lower stories fit into God’s upper story. Here’s a bit of
what you’ll find…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
This is one of my favorite verses in Scripture, but sometimes I want to ask, “God, my life doesn’t seem to be going all that well right now. Is this what you have planned for me?"
Everyday life often doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand why things happen, why people act the way they do, or why something doesn’t work out when I did my very best. I don’t know why some days are so difficult.
But here’s the thing…my life isn’t the complete story. It’s only a piece of God’s story.
Author and pastor Randy Frazee says to understand the Bible, we need to view it with a dual lens, one that allows us to see the Upper Story and the Lower Story. The Upper Story is God’s grand story of something larger—His eternal plans.
The Lower Story is our individual stories of everyday life—the struggles, the joys, the getting through the day-to-day. God’s Upper Story encompasses our Lower Stories.
To
read more of my post, please join me at the Gloria Dei blog.
And if you would, leave a comment. I’d love to know you stopped by!
In
Christ,
Laura
Linking
up with Life in Bloom, Women Living Well Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, and Spiritual Sundays.
I think it's easy for us to get caught up in the NOW and not see the big picture.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a YouVersion Bible Reading Plan called The Essential 100 right now, where it pulls out 100 of the important and good-to-know stories in the Bible. I was just reading the story of Joseph last night. Even though Joseph was sold by his brothers which lead to him being wrongfully put into prison, he later saw the big picture when God put him in charge of the food supply in Egypt during the famine. Joseph used his experiences as God's way of putting him in the right place to provide for his brothers and family, and eventually forgive his brothers.
It would have been so easy for Joseph to be bitter about it, and deny his brothers the food they needed to survive, but Joseph saw the big picture instead.
Thank you for sharing and allowing me to see another version of this great story :)
Hi Tonya!
DeleteI agree, some days it's so hard to see the bigger picture when all we can see is what's around us. Looking back to see how God has worked in my life helps me remember that no matter what I'm going through right now, God is at work and He has a bigger and better plan.
Thanks for your visit and comment!
God bless,
Laura
Two stories. That's a good way to look at it. I always think of it as God sees the big picture and we only see parts of it, plus the picture isn't finished yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
I agree Charlotte. We can only see life from our perspective, but God sees it all--past, present, and future. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
DeleteA refreshing way of looking at it. It's not all about me after all, is it? God's plan is much bigger than me, and I am blessed to be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteAmen! What a loving, generous God we have! He doesn't need our help, but He lets us be a part of what He has planned. Thanks for your visit & comment!
DeleteGod bless,
Laura
I really like this Laura....it's not just our stories...but His...
ReplyDeleteBless you and thank you Sarah (Nikki)!
Delete