A Tale to be Told

I wonder what sort of tale we've fallen into?
Sam, The Fellowship of the Ring


"I wonder," replied Frodo. "And that's the way of a real tale. Take any one you're fond of. You may know, or guess, what kind of a tale it is, happy-ending or sad-ending, but the people in it don't know. Folk seem to have been just landed in them..." (LOL)

What's the nature of your tale? Do you ever stop and examine it? What is God up to in your story? What is he trying to tell you about yourself, about Him? What is trying to tell the world through you? It's something worth pondering... in fact one author has devoted a whole book to it if you won't to explore it more deeply- Dan Allender's "To be Told."

As a therapist, I'm constantly listening to people's stories, looking for clues that help me (and them) better understand their stories. I listen for things... clues, such as:
People- who were/are the people in their lives and what impact did they have on them for better or worse?
Setting- where did they journey in their lives? How did that impact them?
Adversity and Tradegy- All the stories that matter have adversities and tradegies in them. What has this person been through and how has it affected them?
Vows and Themes- As a result of the adversities and tradegies a person has gone through, how have they coped? What courses of action have they commited to? What are the recurrent themes in their live that get played out again and again until they see them and change them?

As you consider these things, what do you find? The deep consideration is worth it! It's too easy to settle for comfort... our culture thrives on it... most prefer to live in denial for years than face the mysteries, pain, and uncertainties of their life. It's such a waste to live that way... and usually causes other people pain. You may have wounds in your life due to others in your story never examining their lives!

"We are wired to grow, and all growth stretches us beyond our comfort level. Comfort is the absence of tension; growth requries a swim in murky, dangerous waters" "A good but unexamined life will be high on duty and not likely to celebrate the odd paradoxes, the ironic coincidences, and the humor of being dirt. Remember we are clay. Adam wasn't named Red by accident." (Allender).

Examining my own life has been the most freedom producing thing in my life! Nothing is more fulfilling then helping another person find freedom in theirs! Do the work, fight for freedom (LOR), discover the tale that you are in and what God is doing in and through you.

"I have come to heal the broken-hearted and set the captive free."
Jesus

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand!

Never againlet anyone put a harnss of slavery on you."
Galatians 5:1- The Message