An Inkling
One of my surprising discoveries as a young pastor was how many people watch soap operas. I learned this while making afternoon visits in the homes of some senior church members. When it got to be 2:00 or 3:00, the scheduled time for their soap, I’d see them get fidgety. They were hoping I’d take the hint and leave. The more forthright simply told me that it was time for their “story,” as they called it, and that they couldn’t miss it. That’s what alerted me to the fidgets in the others. Thus I gradually learned which times to avoid, lest I come between people and their stories.I really didn’t get it. Why would a mere story have such a pull? The older I get, the more I understand. Stories have great power – for good and for ill. I find myself spending more and more of my time following stories about the days of our lives.
Last week I did so in Kansas City for three days with 20+ guys for the annual gathering of our “pastors covenant group.” Our covenant is one of care and accountability. I’m in a group of five within that larger circle. Our smaller circle checks in with each other monthly, usually via email, and then we catch up with the broader circle more generally once a year at a gathering. I enjoy these gatherings for a number of reasons – a surfeit of good food and nonsense being among them. But even more I enjoy the stories.
I still don’t really get the contrived drama of soaps. But the real life dramas of friends are endlessly fascinating. As we tell our stories and then unpack them together, our eyes of faith begin to discern patterns that point to the One who has both a grand plan and a stunning imagination. He spins a tapestry like no other with threads of tragedy, comedy, mystery, irony, adventure, and love, and in the process he even writes our improvisations into his over-arching tale in astonishing ways. I know of no better entertainment, education, or edification.
The days of my life don’t seem particularly interesting to me, but my covenant brothers tell me that they see the hand of the Divine Author at work. That’s encouraging! And I certainly see his hand at work in their stories – which leaves me all the more eager for the next installment.
Tuning in,
Keith
