Wholeness: Unwritten Stories

Many years ago there was a short-lived reality show called The Messengers. In it people competed to be the next big motivational speaker. In one particular episode, one of the judges took issue with how dark one contestant's speech about a past trauma was. Long story short, it's okay to be a bit dark with your message, as long as it leads to a ray of light in the end. As the show progressed it became apparent that the speaker in question just hadn't found her ray of light concerning that trauma just yet. So she couldn't offer it to others either. You have stories to tell as well, but have they reached the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel yet, so that they are fitting to inspire others?

The Bible isn't just a systematic set of rules, it is presented with stories, many even get dark. So why do we try to systematize it? Jesus didn't just proclaim the good news via a formula; he did it through parables. So why do we try to turn the gospel into a formula? As disciples, salvation is a big part of our story, but are you leaving the narrative unfinished? Have we accepted the forgiveness part and called it good enough? Yet left the wholeness, born anew part of it incomplete. Leaving us with few inspirational experiences to share. Leaving us to rely on cold definitions for outreach.

“Nobody cries at the end of a movie about a guy who wants a Volvo. But we spend years actually living these stories, and expect our lives to be meaningful. The truth is if what we choose to do with our lives won’t make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either.” -Donald Miller

Let me stress one thing, a meaningful life does not necessarily mean fame or putting ourselves in the limelight. Too many people leave their talent in the ground because they're comparing themselves to celebrities. With that out of the way, let me ask you, what makes your favorite movies and songs your favorites? Isn't it being able to connect with it emotionally? To be able to identify with it? To see yourself in it? That is why wholeness is critical in discovering our purpose; it gives us a story to share and connect with. Finding wholeness is a story of overcoming after all. It is those stories that delight, inspire, and connect with people. How people find salvation themselves through them. Unlike the mere explanations, many rely on.

Take, for example, the movie, I Can Only Imagine. I like it better than most recent faith-based films because it doesn't oversimplify the Christian experience by stopping at the initial glory of salvation, or just making about making the right choices. This story goes past all that into the struggle to find wholeness. Although the main character Bart Millard had removed himself from a toxic environment and was working in music ministry, his scars still haunted him and hindered his walk. Only by facing his past and reconciling with his father was he able to move forward, and ultimately connect with his audience, and make the truth he professed relatable.

Yet, we live in a culture that tells us not to believe in fairy tales anymore, because we don't believe that happily ever after really exists. Granted, sometimes their definition of happily ever after can be pretty shallow, but is that the real issue we have with them? Or are we trying to gloss over the part where we must fight the dragon or defeat the witch to get to happily ever after? While there will always be another goblin around the corner, but by overcoming them we grow as disciples, find wholeness, as well as our mission, and ultimately inspire the next generation with our story.

So let me leave you with this question. Have you overcome the demons in your life, or are you settling for the Volvo, because you think that is as good as it gets for you? Or would you rather never have to face the troll you thought you eluded, much like the lady from the beginning of the post was? I dare say there is a genuine lack of wholeness in the church. For that reason, there are few stories of delight to share, no wonder we struggle to understand each other. So people cannot connect with church people anymore. We have just settled for a definition of morality, which is but only one dimension of holiness, let alone broader theology. Which seems only like a standard of judgment to the lost, instead of the love, understanding, and a helping hand they really need. Of course, how are we supposed to help people overcome if we haven't ourselves?

I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. -Psalm 78:2-4

The Visual PARABLEist