God’s Story: His Glory

This is a guest post by Marit Rheinheimer.

I love finishing a good book. When I close that back cover, I take a breath and pause, wandering backwards through it in my thoughts, appreciating in hindsight how each piece of the story came together. As I meander back over the pages, unraveling it, I am amazed. The author, a master weaver, took all of these different threads (personal characters, situations, dialogue, emotion, language) and artfully wove them into a story that captured me, entertained me, challenged me, or brought me to tears. It is an incredibly satisfying experience, one that prompts in me a humble respect, admiration, and even awe for the skill of that writer.

Recently, I have experienced this same feeling–only this time, the story didn’t come from the shelf at the library. I realized that I am the story. We are the story. God is the Author. And the book is  Eternity.

Maybe you have experienced this, too, where you suddenly have this glimpse of comprehension (and it truly is just a glimpse), a flash of understanding, where for just a moment you are able to see more than just your single thread. You see a pattern, wherein so many events and circumstances miraculously line up in the most perfect way. You see that life is not random, that we are not who we are or where we are by chance. Rather, we have a Maker, an Author, who wrote us into the most incredible story. A story that is so intricate and beautiful that it is sincerely mind-blowing. A story of love between a perfect and holy God and His most beloved creation: us.

The best part is that the story is unfolding all around us. I see it in conversations with friends, in life events, in times of waiting or despair, in moments of rejoicing, in Bible school, Children’s church, sermons, Sunday School, and of course, in Scripture. I see it in nature–the beauty, the perfection, the love of a Designer and Creator, the cycle of new life after death. I see it in my son–love, forgiveness, redemption, a relationship that says “I have met your needs, even when you don’t realize it. I am here through it all. I am never giving up on you!”

I am hopeful that this glimpse of God’s story comes to you often, and that from it you sit in amazement at how the Author of the universe, the perfecter of our faith, brings everything together in ways we cannot predict and sometimes would not choose, but that work together for our good and, more importantly, for His glory.

Whenever I am grasping on to a new truth, Satan starts filling my mind with lies, telling me that I am not significant enough, that I do not matter, that God does not get involved in the little details of my life. Life just happens and God is too big to worry about me.

To those lies, I can respond:

1. I DO Matter. I matter to the God of the universe. And He is not giving me up to anyone.
   • John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”
   • John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
   • 1 John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”
2. God Matters More. God’s story is about His glory. We are here for His glory.
   • Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For you created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”
   • Revelation 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

That doesn’t leave much for us, but how can we say we are as worthy as the Lamb of God?

The beauty of God’s story is that He is perfect, He created us for His glory, and even though we are presently sinful and depraved, struggling through this life in so many ways, He still loves us enough to send His Son to die for our sins, and He gives us His Word so that we can know Him and know how to live in a way that brings glory to Him, and He gives us His Spirit to indwell and guide us.

And one day, we will get to join with all the angels, in the presence of Christ Himself, glorifying Him because He is worthy.

________

Marit Rheinheimer is a Christian, wife, mom, and teacher. She lives on a hobby farm in rural Minnesota with her husband and young son, blessed to witness daily the absolute beauty of God’s creation. She modestly attempts many pursuits including reading, writing, music, baking, and art. While her life has followed a seemingly random and unpredictable path (ask her about her yaks!), she is learning each day that fulfillment and purpose is found in Christ alone.

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