It's Worth ItSample

It Won't Make Sense Yet

If you’ve ever seen the film Inception, I’m sure that you, like me, thought it was absolutely brilliant but completely confusing, until the very end. And even then, you probably had to watch it at least three more times to fully understand everything that was going on. Throughout the movie, I’m sure you were constantly asking the person next to you, “What’s happening? Did I miss something? I don’t understand! Someone explain!” (all while stuffing popcorn in your face because it was the only thing that really seemed to make sense). Once the movie ended and all the pieces finally connected, all you could do was sit there, mind blown (and if you’re like me, think about it for at least four days after).

Sometimes life seems like that movie. Crazy, unexpected, nonsensical, painful, boring, and exciting scenes are all happening for the sake of the story.

Inception was thought up by brilliant humans. But our personal stories have been thought up by the Creator of the universe. Even more cool to think about: as he creates our stories, God doesn’t mess up. In the scenes that don’t make sense, he knows exactly what’s going on (Isaiah 55:8–9).

In the scenes that keep us on the edge of our seats, he’s doing immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20–21).

In the scenes where we are bored out of our minds? He knows they’re necessary to the plot (Psalm 130:5).

And in the scenes where we can’t stop crying, he never leaves us and is the hope that we can cling to (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

So what keeps us going throughout our stories? A few weeks ago in an acting class, my teacher said something I think will stick with me forever. He said, “When you are in an audition, a director is looking for your ability to do something crucial––to live through the scene and to stay connected with your scene partner. The goal is to surrender yourself completely to the scene and connect with the other person. Don’t lose that connection, no matter what obstacles may come up in the scene. That is where your best work will come from.”

How true is this for the believer following Jesus! Our lives have so many different scenes with so many obstacles. Our goal is not to get the lines right or to impress everyone. The goal is not to do it perfectly. The goal is to stay connected, no matter what. No matter what comes in the highs and lows of life, the goal is to keep our eyes on Jesus and stay connected with him.

Your story is unique. It’s exciting. It’s unexpected. It’s unnerving. It’s full of twists and turns. It’s such a beautiful story that you will often look back on it in absolute wonder at what the Lord has been doing. It doesn’t have to make sense now. Just stay connected.