We continue our exploration of our stories by focusing in on a crucial element to any good story: plot. Plot revolves around characters and centers on the movement of transformation that takes place over the course of the character's journey. Whenever we witness growth, change, or development of a character, we're watching the plot unfold.
But here's the thing. Characters don't usually grow, change, or develop if they don't have to. Central to the plot of any story is a conflict that forces the characters of that story into new territory. Conflict and struggle drive transformation.
We accept this as part of good storytelling when we see it played out on scene or in a book. But how often do we recognize the conflict and struggle of our own lives as a meaningful step in our transformation? More often than not, I get caught up and overwhelmed by my own pain and anxiety. It becomes all-consuming and I lose sight of the bigger arc of my story and the ways God is using conflict to grow me into His image and likeness.
So instead of giving up or fighting back or ignoring it all together, may we remember this week that the difficulties we go through are not the end of our stories, but the middle. For those whose faith and hope is in Jesus, our stories end with resurrection.
In the meantime, our weakness becomes a vessel for God's strength to be displayed. The little deaths of our pride and our sinfulness and our desperate desire to control things become the necessary deaths that provide a way for new life to spring forth. Whether life goes how we think it ought to or not, may we all begin to look with new eyes at the beautiful story God is inviting us into and trust that He has us right where He wants us.
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