The Bible Courseනියැදිය

Entering the story – quenching our thirst for meaning

Reflect:

The popularity of film franchises like Marvel and Star Wars stems from their capacity to open us up to beautiful and strange new worlds. Entering them feels like an escape. We forget our troubles and let ourselves (for a couple of hours) believe in better. The Bible does this, too. It opens us up to a whole new world.

When we open the Bible, says Eugene Peterson, ‘we enter the totally unfamiliar world of God, a world of creation and salvation stretching endlessly above and beyond us’.

But the biggest difference between the Bible story and all other stories is that it doesn’t take us out of the world but places us right in it. It's God’s story, written to help us make sense of the world and give us a hope that is sure.

Life has never felt frailer. Neither have our own stories. Yes, reading the Bible means stepping into an unfamiliar world, but stick at it! Because God, the author, invites everyone to anchor their own frail story in his story.

Could the Bible and the beautiful story it tells be the very thing we need to navigate life and its challenges well? Hold on then – this could get life-changing.

What does our reading say about the story we live in?

We see a world that was made by a master-sculptor who crammed creation with traces of his character. The world bursts with evidence of God, and when we see this, it changes everything. When we realise our human story has an author, the world goes from being an unfortunate accident or a sick joke to being a beautiful design. Everything has been made on purpose and for purpose.

What is our purpose?

We are made for worship and relationship.

God crafted you into being. You’re not random or insignificant. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made. He willed all this for you to know him and worship him (Psalm 139.14).

See how we all belong to this larger story? We all have an author, who has written the days of our lives with meaning. If your life seems devoid of meaning and true relationship, buying more stuff or seeking new experiences won’t help. We were made on purpose, for purpose, and it’s only when we see our true purpose in the one true story of the world that we enter into the life we long for.

Respond

Pause and ask God to make this journey through the Bible story one that is life-changing.

Check out The Bible Course New Edition in full.