ODJ: Greater Meaning

March 10, 2017 

READ: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 

God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (v.9).

The movie Stranger than Fiction depicts a man who begins hearing a voice inside his head. Harold becomes unglued as he notices the voice describing the everyday details of his life with extraordinary accuracy, “and with a better vocabulary”.

At first, he doesn’t understand that the stranger’s voice is that of a renowned novelist, and that he—Harold—occupies the role of main character in her latest manuscript. As he comes to know he’s part of an unfolding story, however, this knowledge transforms his otherwise dull and insignificant life.

Similarly, God intends for the story of Jesus and the overarching narrative of Scripture to transform our lives. Our perspective on life and ourselves starts to change and take on greater meaning as we understand that God invites us to participate in the grand scheme of what He’s doing.

God is the main character of the story He authors, not us. But right from the beginning, before human rebellion, it was the Creator’s plan to include us in the work He’s doing (Genesis 1:28-30).

The New Testament tells us that from the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus called His followers to join Him in His kingdom work (Matthew 4:18-22). It was Jesus’ plan—after His death and resurrection laid the foundation—for believers to carry forward the promised blessing of God’s new creation (Acts 1:6-8).

In speaking of what God promised to accomplish, Paul declared, “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

The story of Jesus doesn’t replace our individual stories. It rescues, transforms and gives them greater meaning.

—Jeff Olson

365-day plan: Judges 13:1-25