The Author
Situation
upon situation
upon situation,
the ever-changing cycle
of your story,
has been authored by Another,
one of infinite power
unparalleled wisdom
unending grace,
who has every epic
every turn of the plot
every surprising mystery
every unnoticed moment
written into his book.
The Author is never surprised
never taken off guard
never confused by new developments
never feeling unprepared
never just making it through
never looking for a way out.
Situation
upon situation
upon situation,
the ever-changing cycle
of your story,
authored by Another,
the changing saga written
by the One who never changes.
Let go of knowing the future.
Let go of having your own way.
Let go of self-sovereignty.
Let go of the anxiety of not knowing.
Let go of craving more power.
Let go of ranting against mystery.
Settle into what you’ve been designed to be.
Celebrate being included in the gospel plot.
Be thankful you’re not in control.
Remember God’s way is better.
Know that you’re in good hands.
Things out of your control
are not out of control.
There is an Author,
he is not you
his will will be done.
Your story,
that ever-changing cycle
situation upon situation
surprise after surprise
mystery chasing mystery
year piling upon year
has a final chapter,
penned before time began
written on the pages of eternity
and it will be glorious.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
(Matthew 6:25-34, ESV)
God bless,
Paul David Tripp
Reflection Questions
1. How does your life currently feel out of control? Think through some specifics that have made you feel anxious, sad, nervous, or frustrated in relation to your life’s circumstances. In thinking through those specifics, how does your perspective shift once you remind yourself that your life has been authored by the God of the universe who has written every detail of your life into his book?
2. What are a few events that have occurred in your life that have brought about significant surprise or shock? What kinds of circumstances in your life have made you confused as to cause you to question God’s kindness, sovereignty, care, love, or goodness? Do those wild or confusing circumstances lead you to believe that the Lord is not completely in control of every aspect of your life? Why or why not?
3. As everything in life (including yourself) changes, take a moment to explore the fact that God never does. Now, knowing that your Creator has never changed and never will, what are a few ways you could let go in life in order to experience true freedom in Christ? Where have you struggled to let go in specific ways related to wanting to know exactly what’s going to happen? Wanting to have your own way? Wanting to gain more power and control? Wanting to live life without mystery?
4. Now, knowing your detailed struggles, how is God inviting you into gospel celebration because he is master over it all? When things feel out of control, why are they actually in control? How does knowing that the Author has written your story all the way to the final chapter make you feel? How does it calm your heart? In what ways can you respond to his work with worship? Knowing that your story will end gloriously, how can you shift your perspective about all of life’s circumstances (both good and bad) toward God’s ultimate love, faithfulness, and care for you?