Your Inner Story
Written by: Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
I love the commercial about a grandfather whose High School granddaughter is living with them until she goes away to college. For a number of years grandpa has been saving for his fancy dream car. Then, one day, there is a nice, practical car in the driveway. The granddaughter looks at grandpa quizzically, and he holds up the keys. She squeals, but then stops and says, “But what about your dream car?” He replies, “This is my dream now!” They hug, and we are moved.
One of the saddest aspects of my ministry is hearing people’s stories and the frustration and fatalism over the life they have, and the life they wished they had. These individuals feel they were made for bigger things, and for some reason God, or fate, or bad luck kept them from living the life they feel they should have had or deserved. It is difficult to live a life with a mature faith when one is frustrated with God because their life hasn’t turned out the way they imagined.
Writer, Zat Rana describes the frustration over one’s life disappointments. “Any lack of satisfaction we experience in life is born from this predicament: We are so attached to an imagined inner story about who we are, causing both anxiety and fear, that we forget that the world in front of us isn’t at all dictated by this story; it simply is, in both its beauty and its simplicity.” If our inner story is totally unattainable, we will never be content. Our inner story must be in line with our ability and level of commitment. Further, we must not focus so much on achieving our inner story, that we fail to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction. Further, we should also be willing to be influenced by the people and situations around us. When we are focused beyond ourselves, our inner story is transformed.
This grandfather in the commercial had an inner story that said he deserved a fancy car that would help define him. But he was mature enough to see beyond himself and change his inner story to be defined as a supportive and loving grandfather. It is an inner story within his ability to achieve. It is a story he can embrace, guided by the Spirit’s power, and based on love beyond self. Today, consider your life story. It is achievable? Is it meaningful? Does it honor God? When you can say “yes,” your inner story and outer life will be in harmony, and you will not live with frustration, but find a meaningful level of contentment.
