The Story of You

I’m convinced there’s no one in America who hasn’t heard the ad for cellular service: “Can you hear me now? [long pause] Good!” It’s got me wondering, what if the line was, “Can you see me now?”

If the unseen and unheard person on the other end of the line said yes, would my response be “Good!” or would I hurriedly change my actions to something I actually wanted to be seen?

Edit to Strengthen Character

I think we’ve all thought at one point or another that if we had the chance to do it over, we’d do it a different way. Some people live with the regret of what could have been, while some choose to put a fresh sheet of paper in the old typewriter and begin again.

David was a man who understood the importance of living well in order that his story could be told with pride. Aware that power and fortune are not the defining chapters in one’s story, David carved out a story from character and faith. As king of Israel, he possessed all the world defines as success but understood that true substance comes from a relationship with God.

A look at one of his prayers gives us some unique insight into his heart. “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am.”¹

It’s not often I hear someone pray the kind of prayer King David recorded. He asked God for three things: what will the end of my life be like, how long do I have, and keep me aware of an eternal perspective.

In the context of writing one’s life story through the life one leads, this is a prayer that perhaps should be spoken from each of our lips. Here was a man who came from humble beginnings, ascended to great power and wealth, failed miserably in moral integrity, and tried to hide his immoral deeds with other equally heinous acts only to be exposed for what he was. Yet, in spite of all this, David was a man who was equally acquainted with new beginnings. This tells us that the story others will hear long after we are gone is not written in a day or in an isolated moment but is a collection of life’s experiences. This is the good news of God’s grace. By God’s grace we can close a regrettable chapter and begin writing a better one.

Begin with the End

I have a best friend who wants his life to count for something eternal in value. Recently we were having lunch when the conversation turned to our wives and the effort in making marriage work. After listening to some conflict he and his spouse were encountering, it became clear that my buddy had some selfish thinking that needed to be challenged. I gulped, and went for the jugular of that selfish attitude. He paused for a long time. Then, as he is prone to do, he received my comments with gratitude and committed to change. It is a risk to live with this kind of relational dynamic.

Suppose some brave soul would have invited another king, Uzziah by name, to a royal lunch for two and told him that the slippery slope of spiritual and moral compromise he was treading would lead to his undoing. Would it have made a difference? Would it have changed the ending?

Max Lucado is right when he says, “Mark it down, compromise chills the soul.” Like a runner springing from the starting blocks with explosive energy, Uzziah had an honorable beginning. “And he did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. And he continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”²

For many years Uzziah established himself as an innovator, political leader, military strategist, and highly successful man. But what was unseen was as much a part of his life story as what was seen. Inside this man a spiritual and moral drift was beginning that, in the end, would consume him. Observe how the scriptures tell it: “Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.”³

Don’t miss those four words, “until he was strong.” They are like an illuminated road sign full of meaning and warning.

Countless numbers of good men and women who started well in life’s race were eventually sidelined by compromise. Typically it starts small and eventually numbs the heart to bigger temptations.
“But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”&sup4
Can you imagine if someone had sat with Uzziah a few years in advance of the end? Perhaps the conversation would begin, “I had a glimpse of the finish and it doesn’t look good for you. There will be a time when you will arrogantly stride into the temple, and perform duties that God has reserved only for priests. You will live out your life in bitter isolation” (see verses 19-21). I think Uzziah would have responded with a determined, “No way!”

That’s the subtlety of small compromises that lead to bigger ones. When collected and put together to write our life story it can spell regret.

Here’s the good news. You don’t have to arrive at the end of life filled with regret. You can have a new beginning by simply turning from the things that got you where you are today and turning to Christ who offers, “life and more abundant life.”&sup5

The public crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who died as satisfaction for God’s judgment against sin stands as a monument for all people - new beginnings start at the cross.

References: 1) Psalm 39:4. 2) II Chronicles 26:4-5. 3) II Chronicles 26:15. 4) II Chronicles 26:16. 5) John 10:10. If you would like to get more information about finding new life in Jesus Christ, please visit www.promisenetwork.com/jesus.

Ron Mitchell is President/Editor-In-Chief of Promise Network, an organization dedicated to reaching the world with the promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

©2004 Ronald W. Mitchell. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


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