The only story I need to hear

Today is officially "C.S. Lewis Day" on my blog. Grab yourself a nice cup of English tea and read along.

I read The Chronicles of Narnia last winter, and found more life lessons and profound thoughts in those stories than I could ever capture in a single reading. I look forward to reading them again one of these days.

In the third book in the series, The Horse and His Boy, one line is repeated in two different instances. It is a statement that has echoed in my mind constantly since I first read it. When a character begins asking questions about the events that have unfolded in the life of another, Aslan gently chides, "Child, I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own."

Stay in your story, dear one. It is the only story you need to hear, and it will all unfold in perfect time.

I am not very good at staying in my story. I get impatient and, like a little child, try to turn the page too soon. I get curious about what's unfolding in other people's stories. Their stories begin to look more interesting than my own, and all too often, glancing over at someone else's page leads to discontentment that is nothing short of sinful.

Jesus's disciples fell into this trap - wanting to skip to the end, straining to eavesdrop on someone else's story. At the end of the book of John, after Jesus has been resurrected, he tells Peter "by what kind of death he was to glorify God". He tells Peter that he will be martyred, and then says, "Follow me." Peter looks at John, then says to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" How will his story end? Jesus's reply to Peter is somewhat less than gentle: "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:18-22)

What is his story to you? I am telling you your story, and that is all that matters. Listen to me, follow my lead. Trust that my will is being done in the story I tell.

Jesus, my worries, my impatience, my envy of what others have all add up to a lack of trust in your perfect will. Help me to set my eyes and my mind on you and follow. I know that you are the all-wise, all-creative, all-powerful Storyteller, and you are weaving the most intricate and beautiful story that could ever be told. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of that.