Skipping Ahead

Have you ever been reading a book that’s so exciting or mysterious, you can’t wait to see how it ends and so, you skip ahead and read the ending before you’ve actually read the rest of story? I must admit, I’ve been guilty of fast-forwarding to the end a time or two myself; but, what I’m  really guilty of, is creating endings to my own life stories before any of the other pages have been written. For example:

Genre: Chick Lit- Scene one: A friend doesn’t respond to my text message when I think she should. So,
I quickly flip to the back of “my” book: I’ve done something to make my friend mad or hurt her feelings, and now, she doesn’t want to talk to me, maybe our friendship is over! Cue the regret!

Yep, I automatically skip over the “pages” that may tell of her busy schedule, that her phone died, or maybe she’s not feeling well.

~~~~~~~~~

Genre: Travel- Scene One:  I’m about to drive alone on a several hour trip. So,
Before leaving, I fan the pages to get to “my” ending of the story:  which may include a flat tire, being lost, or getting in an accident! Cue the anxiety!

You guessed it, I fail to consider the parts I’ve missed that get me to my destination on time and in one piece after a pleasant journey.

~~~~~~~~~

Genre: Health/Wellness- Scene One: As hard as I try to contain it, a cough escapes from my lips. So,
I immediately open that back cover to get to “my” conclusion of this volume: I have COVID, I could get a severe case, and what if I infect those I love! Cue the panic!

Once again, I’ve jumped over the details that tell about other causes of coughing like allergies, dust in the air, or just a plain, old tickle in the throat.

~~~~~~~~~

As you can see, I am an author of endings. In the story of my life, I’m sure I know what’s going to happen before it’s ever played out and so I skip ahead. You may have already noticed this, but when I get there? It’s rarely ever a happy ending either. You, and yes, even I know, that  jumping ahead to dire conclusions only leads to unnecessary worry and precious time being wasted.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” Matthew 6:34 (GNT)

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Matthew 6:27 (NLT)

Jesus, the true Author and Perfecter of our faith, is saying to me, and maybe you too, that we need to stop borrowing trouble and creating unnecessary anguish.  Instead we are instructed:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Turn our worry into prayer! Oh, how I need these verses under normal circumstances, but especially in the uncertain times we’re facing today! As much as we’d like to, we have no way of knowing what life will bring our way. The truth is, letting our (my) imaginations run wild with plot twists leaves out the most important thing. God is in control, of every word, line, and chapter of our days.  So, the challenge for me today, and maybe I’m not alone, is to once and for all, let go of ” our pen” and  begin to fully live the story He is writing.  After all, He is the One who writes THE happy ending!

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ ” Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT)

Cue the everlasting peace!

 

I’m joining the folks over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com today, writing to the prompt “Ahead” . I’ve already read a few of the offerings and I urge you to click over and read them, too! As always, I’m grateful for your presence here.  I pray the scriptures today are as much an encouragement to you as they are to me.