I was never really into reading fiction all that much.  I generally preferred non-fiction books that made me think, introduced me to new ideas, inspired me in some way.  But down-time over school breaks combined with free (!) Amazon Prime novels each month have led me to dip my toes in the literary pond of these made-up stories with fascinating characters and suspenseful plots and faraway places that I can only imagine visiting someday.

I finished one such novel yesterday.  The ending surprised me so much that I found myself going back to read the first few chapters again today.  “Oh, now it makes sense!”.  All those little details that seemed so random and at times confusing, were included by the author because they were necessary parts of the story that was to come.  She knew how the plot was going to twist and turn while I was still wading through the early pages, trying to keep the characters straight.  She, of course, knew the ending.  She knew what was about to unfold.

It has me thinking about life and how the details of our days often seem random and confusing as well.  I had a card hanging over my desk at work for years with a quote by author Ashleigh Brilliant which said, “My life has a superb cast, but I can’t figure out the plot.”  How true!

I really don’t have any idea what the plot of my life is.  No idea what’s going to happen next.  And as evidenced by the last 8 months, I shouldn’t even try to guess.  Just when I think I’ve got it figured out, some new twist enters the story line and throws it all into question again.

But I happen to know the Author personally, so I’m certain it’s going to turn out in the end.

On those days when things seem like they’re falling apart or I desperately want to fast forward to the end of the chapter so I can decipher what in the world is going on, I can be confident that this story of mine is moving along exactly as God wants it to.  He’s definitely introduced a superb cast over the years.  He’s strategically changed the setting several times. He’s woven in adventure and intrigue and tears and laughter and defeats and victories and more blessings than one story should be entitled to.

And character development appears to be His specialty.  Especially my character development.

Reading fiction is teaching me to embrace the unknowns, to anticipate the plot twists, to be patient enough to wait to see how they’ll ultimately fit into the story.  Because they always do.  The author will bring it all together in the end, leaving me saying once more, “Now it all makes sense”.

God is doing the same thing in my life.  In my story.  And what a story it is.

No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  Romans 8:35

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.  Isaiah 43:2

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28

Photo by David Lezcano on Unsplash