Why Your Story Matters to God

Right now, Right now, we're being joined by all six campuses we're being joined by all six campuses we're being joined by all six campuses across Houston. Let's welcome them. across Houston. Let's welcome them. across Houston. Let's welcome them. >> [cheering] >> And on the count of three, let's say >> And on the count of three, let's say "Happy Father's Day." 1 2 3. "Happy Father's Day." 1 2 3. "Happy Father's Day." 1 2 3. >> Happy Father's Day. >> Happy Father's Day. >> Happy Father's Day. >> All right, welcome. You may be seated. When I was in seventh grade, I looked When I was in seventh grade, I looked like I was in second grade. like I was in second grade. like I was in second grade. I was just a little bit skinny. I was just a little bit skinny. I was just a little bit skinny. Actually, Actually, Actually, I was painfully skinny.

I was painfully skinny. I was painfully skinny. And when I was in seventh grade, there And when I was in seventh grade, there And when I was in seventh grade, there was a girl that I liked. We used to was a girl that I liked. We used to was a girl that I liked. We used to Yeah, used the term had Yeah, used the term had Yeah, used the term had had a crush on was the term we used back had a crush on was the term we used back had a crush on was the term we used back in the day. in the day. in the day. And back then Yeah, back then, And back then Yeah, back then, And back then Yeah, back then, you would um ask someone if you liked you would um ask someone if you liked you would um ask someone if you liked them, you'd ask them to go with you. And them, you'd ask them to go with you. And them, you'd ask them to go with you. And what was really weird about that what was really weird about that what was really weird about that phenomenon is that you never went phenomenon is that you never went phenomenon is that you never went anywhere, anywhere, anywhere, and you never really talked to them. and you never really talked to them. and you never really talked to them. But perhaps that's why the relationship But perhaps that's why the relationship But perhaps that's why the relationship went so well. Um because went so well. Um because went so well. Um because things were easier in first grade. In things were easier in first grade. In things were easier in first grade. In first grade, when I was growing up, you first grade, when I was growing up, you first grade, when I was growing up, you saw someone across the room you liked, saw someone across the room you liked, saw someone across the room you liked, all you had to do is pull out some paper all you had to do is pull out some paper all you had to do is pull out some paper and a pencil and write, "I love you. Do and a pencil and write, "I love you. Do and a pencil and write, "I love you. Do you love me? Circle yes or no? you love me? Circle yes or no? you love me? Circle yes or no? Right? No games, no gimmicks, no what Right? No games, no gimmicks, no what Right? No games, no gimmicks, no what does this text mean? Just a direct does this text mean? Just a direct does this text mean? Just a direct question.

question. question. Circle yes or no. But now, fast forward Circle yes or no. But now, fast forward Circle yes or no. But now, fast forward again, I am in seventh grade, look like again, I am in seventh grade, look like again, I am in seventh grade, look like I'm in second grade, and I have this I'm in second grade, and I have this I'm in second grade, and I have this girl that I like. Now, the girl that I girl that I like. Now, the girl that I girl that I like. Now, the girl that I like, we'll just call her name Allison like, we'll just call her name Allison like, we'll just call her name Allison Fisher, because that was her name. Fisher, because that was her name. Fisher, because that was her name. And And And she looked like she was a freshman in she looked like she was a freshman in she looked like she was a freshman in college, okay? college, okay? college, okay? And I had the grandiose idea as a And I had the grandiose idea as a And I had the grandiose idea as a seventh-grade seventh-grade seventh-grade boy that for some reason Allison Fisher boy that for some reason Allison Fisher boy that for some reason Allison Fisher would want to go with me. would want to go with me. would want to go with me. So, what did I do? I was at a camp just So, what did I do? I was at a camp just So, what did I do? I was at a camp just like this. I went right up to her, like this. I went right up to her, like this. I went right up to her, looked her in the eye, and I said, looked her in the eye, and I said, looked her in the eye, and I said, "Allison, will you "Allison, will you "Allison, will you No. No. No. This is junior high. You never talk to This is junior high. You never talk to This is junior high. You never talk to the opposite sex directly. the opposite sex directly. the opposite sex directly. You always work through their agent, You always work through their agent, You always work through their agent, their best friend. their best friend. their best friend. So, I found out So, I found out So, I found out >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I found out that >> I found out that >> I found out that Allison was going to Allison was going to Allison was going to spend the night with her best friend, spend the night with her best friend, spend the night with her best friend, who was named Brenda Wolf.

who was named Brenda Wolf. who was named Brenda Wolf. So, I So, I So, I You can't make these names up. So, I You can't make these names up. So, I You can't make these names up. So, I Back in the day, listen, you couldn't Back in the day, listen, you couldn't Back in the day, listen, you couldn't take the coward's way out like y'all do take the coward's way out like y'all do take the coward's way out like y'all do today and text. You had to pick up the today and text. You had to pick up the today and text. You had to pick up the phone and call somebody. phone and call somebody. phone and call somebody. What if their parents answer? What would What if their parents answer? What would What if their parents answer? What would you do? you do? you do? So, finally I got the nerve up to, you So, finally I got the nerve up to, you So, finally I got the nerve up to, you know, call Brenda's house, because know, call Brenda's house, because know, call Brenda's house, because Allison was over there. And so, uh you Allison was over there. And so, uh you Allison was over there. And so, uh you know, Just kidding. So, I dialed it Just kidding. So, I dialed it dialed dialed dialed Hello? Hello? Hello? Uh Uh Uh Uh uh uh you know, my voice was kind of Uh uh uh you know, my voice was kind of Uh uh uh you know, my voice was kind of cracking. So, this It bad. cracking. So, this It bad. cracking. So, this It bad. I said, um, "Hey, uh, I said, um, "Hey, uh, I said, um, "Hey, uh, Brenda, this is Ben. Uh, Brenda, this is Ben. Uh, Brenda, this is Ben. Uh, is Allison there?" is Allison there?" is Allison there?" Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I said, I said, "Well, I said, I said, "Well, I said, I said, "Well, can you ask her if she would want to to can you ask her if she would want to to can you ask her if she would want to to go with me?" go with me?" go with me?" And then she put the And then she put the And then she put the phone down. Her friend was like, "Mhm, phone down. Her friend was like, "Mhm, phone down. Her friend was like, "Mhm, mhm, mhm." "Go with me."

mhm, mhm." "Go with me." mhm, mhm." "Go with me." And then Brenda got back on the phone. And then Brenda got back on the phone. And then Brenda got back on the phone. And she said, And she said, And she said, "Well, Allison said no." You know how sometimes girls love to You know how sometimes girls love to deliver bad news. Do you know what I'm deliver bad news. Do you know what I'm deliver bad news. Do you know what I'm talking about? And so, talking about? And so, talking about? And so, and then she goes, and then she goes, and then she goes, "Do you want to talk to her?" I was "Do you want to talk to her?" I was "Do you want to talk to her?" I was like, "What?" So, I can't remember if I talked to her So, I can't remember if I talked to her or not. I hung up the phone. I ran to my or not. I hung up the phone. I ran to my or not. I hung up the phone. I ran to my bedroom and I buried my face in in in my bedroom and I buried my face in in in my bedroom and I buried my face in in in my bedspread from the Brady Bunch bedspread from the Brady Bunch bedspread from the Brady Bunch collection. And I just cried out, "Oh collection. And I just cried out, "Oh collection. And I just cried out, "Oh God, God, God, why will she not be my girlfriend? Why why will she not be my girlfriend? Why why will she not be my girlfriend? Why will she not go with me? Why am I so will she not go with me? Why am I so will she not go with me? Why am I so stinking skinny, right?" stinking skinny, right?" stinking skinny, right?" And it shattered And it shattered And it shattered my junior high heart my junior high heart my junior high heart into a million awkward little pieces.

But you know what? But you know what? That's just a part That's just a part That's just a part of my story. of my story. of my story. That's not That's not That's not the whole story. the whole story. the whole story. Everybody's got Everybody's got Everybody's got a story. a story. a story. Everybody's got Everybody's got Everybody's got a story. Let's say that together, ready? a story. Let's say that together, ready? a story. Let's say that together, ready? Everybody's got a story. We all have a Everybody's got a story. We all have a Everybody's got a story. We all have a story. story. story. We were born into a family that we We were born into a family that we We were born into a family that we didn't choose. We will have various didn't choose. We will have various didn't choose. We will have various challenges in our life. challenges in our life. challenges in our life. We'll have times of great success. We'll We'll have times of great success. We'll We'll have times of great success. We'll have times of great failure. We'll have have times of great failure. We'll have have times of great failure. We'll have times when people say, "Yes, I will go times when people say, "Yes, I will go times when people say, "Yes, I will go with you." We have times when they will with you." We have times when they will with you." We have times when they will say, "No, I will not." We will go to school. Some of us will go We will go to school. Some of us will go to college. We'll have jobs. to college. We'll have jobs. to college. We'll have jobs. And over time, through decisions we And over time, through decisions we And over time, through decisions we make, the good ones and the bad ones, we make, the good ones and the bad ones, we make, the good ones and the bad ones, we will become will become will become someone.

someone. someone. Because we all have Because we all have Because we all have a story. a story. a story. A story that's challenged me A story that's challenged me A story that's challenged me over many years on a very deep level is over many years on a very deep level is over many years on a very deep level is a story of a guy by the name of Joseph. a story of a guy by the name of Joseph. a story of a guy by the name of Joseph. Joseph was an interesting guy. He was in Joseph was an interesting guy. He was in Joseph was an interesting guy. He was in high school high school high school just like you. just like you. just like you. He had a family just like you. He had a He had a family just like you. He had a He had a family just like you. He had a future just like future just like future just like you. you. you. But let's not get ahead of But let's not get ahead of But let's not get ahead of the story. the story. the story. We find the story in the very first book We find the story in the very first book We find the story in the very first book in the Bible, Genesis. And the word in the Bible, Genesis. And the word in the Bible, Genesis. And the word Genesis, by the way, means beginning, Genesis, by the way, means beginning, Genesis, by the way, means beginning, beginnings. Genesis 37:2, it says, "This beginnings. Genesis 37:2, it says, "This beginnings. Genesis 37:2, it says, "This is the account of Jacob's family line. is the account of Jacob's family line. is the account of Jacob's family line. Joseph, a young man of 17, was tending Joseph, a young man of 17, was tending Joseph, a young man of 17, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons the flocks with his brothers, the sons the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. He brought their father father's wives. He brought their father father's wives. He brought their father a bad report about them."

a bad report about them." a bad report about them." Basically, Joseph Basically, Joseph Basically, Joseph gave a report, or what we would call, in gave a report, or what we would call, in gave a report, or what we would call, in modern terms, tattletale. modern terms, tattletale. modern terms, tattletale. Verse three, "Now Israel," that's Verse three, "Now Israel," that's Verse three, "Now Israel," that's another name for Jacob, that was his another name for Jacob, that was his another name for Jacob, that was his nickname, Israel, nickname, Israel, nickname, Israel, "he loved Joseph more than any of the "he loved Joseph more than any of the "he loved Joseph more than any of the other sons because he had been born to other sons because he had been born to other sons because he had been born to him in his age and he made an ornate him in his age and he made an ornate him in his age and he made an ornate robe for him. robe for him. robe for him. Now, when his brothers saw that their Now, when his brothers saw that their Now, when his brothers saw that their father loved them more than any of them, father loved them more than any of them, father loved them more than any of them, they hated him they hated him they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. and could not speak a kind word to him. and could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph is 17 years old. Joseph is 17 years old. Joseph is 17 years old. He's got a very interesting family He's got a very interesting family He's got a very interesting family situation, family dynamics. But remember this, But remember this, Joseph Joseph Joseph had a father had a father had a father who loved him. who loved him. who loved him. Joseph had a father who believed in him Joseph had a father who believed in him Joseph had a father who believed in him and when you have a father and when you have a father and when you have a father who loves you, who believes in you, that who loves you, who believes in you, that who loves you, who believes in you, that will give you the fuel you need will give you the fuel you need will give you the fuel you need to have a powerful and beautiful story.

to have a powerful and beautiful story. to have a powerful and beautiful story. But you know what? But you know what? But you know what? It wasn't all love It wasn't all love It wasn't all love for Joseph, was it? It's not all love for Joseph, was it? It's not all love for Joseph, was it? It's not all love for us either. It said his brothers for us either. It said his brothers for us either. It said his brothers hated him. hated him. hated him. Why? Why? Why? Because that they were jealous. Because that they were jealous. Because that they were jealous. They were envious. They wanted what he They were envious. They wanted what he They were envious. They wanted what he had. had. had. Envy is a strange, Envy is a strange, Envy is a strange, slimy, slimy, slimy, green little thing that crawls up on you green little thing that crawls up on you green little thing that crawls up on you and crawls up on me when we want and crawls up on me when we want and crawls up on me when we want what someone else has. what someone else has. what someone else has. And envy can kind of work like a poison And envy can kind of work like a poison And envy can kind of work like a poison in different parts of your story and my in different parts of your story and my in different parts of your story and my story. They made cheerleader. They made cheerleader. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. They made the team. They made the team. They made the team. I didn't. They got into the college they I didn't. They got into the college they I didn't. They got into the college they wanted to. I didn't. They got in the wanted to. I didn't. They got in the wanted to. I didn't. They got in the group that I wanted to be accepted in group that I wanted to be accepted in group that I wanted to be accepted in and I didn't. So I can develop envy and I didn't. So I can develop envy and I didn't. So I can develop envy in wanting what someone else has.

in wanting what someone else has. in wanting what someone else has. And then on top of that And then on top of that And then on top of that we're all so lucky. we're all so lucky. we're all so lucky. Right? We're so lucky that within our Right? We're so lucky that within our Right? We're so lucky that within our own pockets right now we have an envy own pockets right now we have an envy own pockets right now we have an envy making machine called a cell phone and making machine called a cell phone and making machine called a cell phone and social media. social media. social media. And it just fuels that and it can be And it just fuels that and it can be And it just fuels that and it can be very detrimental or destructive, very detrimental or destructive, very detrimental or destructive, poisonous in our poisonous in our poisonous in our story. We want to We want to be loved. be loved. be loved. We want to be successful. We want to be successful. We want to be successful. We want to be worthy. That's all a part We want to be worthy. That's all a part We want to be worthy. That's all a part of our story. It's a part of of our story. It's a part of of our story. It's a part of the human condition. But when we the human condition. But when we the human condition. But when we don't lean in don't lean in don't lean in when we don't listen to what God has to when we don't listen to what God has to when we don't listen to what God has to say say say then we start asking these questions. then we start asking these questions. then we start asking these questions. Like Like Like do I belong? Do I Do I matter?

Will I Will I make it? a little anxious. a little anxious. We start to feel We start to feel We start to feel a little insecurity. a little insecurity. a little insecurity. We start to wonder, "Wow, what's going We start to wonder, "Wow, what's going We start to wonder, "Wow, what's going to happen next? Am I going to make it?" to happen next? Am I going to make it?" to happen next? Am I going to make it?" Which question Which question Which question do you find yourself asking the most? Is do you find yourself asking the most? Is do you find yourself asking the most? Is it a question of belonging? Is it a it a question of belonging? Is it a it a question of belonging? Is it a question of purpose? Do I matter? Does question of purpose? Do I matter? Does question of purpose? Do I matter? Does my story, does my life have meaning? Or my story, does my life have meaning? Or my story, does my life have meaning? Or is it a question of is it a question of is it a question of adequacy? adequacy? adequacy? Does anybody want me? Does anybody want me? Does anybody want me? Will anybody go with me? Go with me. Will anybody go with me? Go with me. Will anybody go with me? Go with me. Right? Do I have what it takes? And this kind of And this kind of these questions these questions these questions these emotions that start bubbling up in these emotions that start bubbling up in these emotions that start bubbling up in in all of us start to reveal to us a a a in all of us start to reveal to us a a a in all of us start to reveal to us a a a different level or different layer if different level or different layer if different level or different layer if you would of the story.

you would of the story. you would of the story. Because everybody's got a story. Let's Because everybody's got a story. Let's Because everybody's got a story. Let's say it again. say it again. say it again. Everybody's got a story. Now, there's Everybody's got a story. Now, there's Everybody's got a story. Now, there's the story the story the story that people see that people see that people see and there's the story that people don't and there's the story that people don't and there's the story that people don't see. see. see. You know I'm talking about. You know I'm talking about. You know I'm talking about. So so there's the outside story. So so there's the outside story. So so there's the outside story. The story that people see. The story that people see. The story that people see. Who you are Who you are Who you are where you go to school, what grade where you go to school, what grade where you go to school, what grade you're in you're in you're in the family you have the family you have the family you have your siblings, your friends, the your siblings, your friends, the your siblings, your friends, the activities you do, the sports you play, activities you do, the sports you play, activities you do, the sports you play, what you're into, you know, all that. what you're into, you know, all that. what you're into, you know, all that. That that's the outside story. But That that's the outside story. But That that's the outside story. But there's also that inside story. The there's also that inside story. The there's also that inside story. The story that people don't see. They don't see the story behind the They don't see the story behind the story. They don't see the fears that story. They don't see the fears that story. They don't see the fears that you're facing. They don't see the you're facing. They don't see the you're facing. They don't see the anxiety. They don't feel that anxiety. They don't feel that anxiety. They don't feel that uncertainty that you do. uncertainty that you do. uncertainty that you do. As you're trying to piece together As you're trying to piece together As you're trying to piece together the awkward little pieces of your own the awkward little pieces of your own the awkward little pieces of your own life.

You know You know the great thing about a week like this the great thing about a week like this the great thing about a week like this week is you start to get to know week is you start to get to know week is you start to get to know some other people's stories. some other people's stories. some other people's stories. You start to learn about their life. You You start to learn about their life. You You start to learn about their life. You start to kind of peel back the layers of start to kind of peel back the layers of start to kind of peel back the layers of of of that outside story and you start of of that outside story and you start of of that outside story and you start listening a little bit to their inside listening a little bit to their inside listening a little bit to their inside story. story. story. And then you're surrounded by people And then you're surrounded by people And then you're surrounded by people who are a little bit older than you, who who are a little bit older than you, who who are a little bit older than you, who are farther on in their story, who can are farther on in their story, who can are farther on in their story, who can come back and give you wisdom. This is come back and give you wisdom. This is come back and give you wisdom. This is kind of cool. In in story that you're in kind of cool. In in story that you're in kind of cool. In in story that you're in right now. right now. right now. In the place in your life. In the place in your life. In the place in your life. But just remember, we don't know But just remember, we don't know But just remember, we don't know what's going on what's going on what's going on with the person sitting beside us. We with the person sitting beside us. We with the person sitting beside us. We don't know their pain, we don't know don't know their pain, we don't know don't know their pain, we don't know their dreams, we don't know what's going their dreams, we don't know what's going their dreams, we don't know what's going on behind the scenes. on behind the scenes. on behind the scenes. When I was uh When I was uh When I was uh younger, too, I remember going to a younger, too, I remember going to a younger, too, I remember going to a basketball camp and at this basketball basketball camp and at this basketball basketball camp and at this basketball camp, I had a guy who I was a teammate camp, I had a guy who I was a teammate camp, I had a guy who I was a teammate with and then we played in games with and then we played in games with and then we played in games together and learned and had fun. It was together and learned and had fun. It was together and learned and had fun. It was great. And on Friday is when the parents great. And on Friday is when the parents great. And on Friday is when the parents come to the camp.

come to the camp. come to the camp. And I remember I was hanging out with And I remember I was hanging out with And I remember I was hanging out with another friend of mine, actually my best another friend of mine, actually my best another friend of mine, actually my best friend, and we were talking, looking, friend, and we were talking, looking, friend, and we were talking, looking, and I saw that other friend who I who I and I saw that other friend who I who I and I saw that other friend who I who I had made during camp week. had made during camp week. had made during camp week. And And And and I saw him, he was talking to his and I saw him, he was talking to his and I saw him, he was talking to his dad. dad. dad. And his dad was deaf. And his dad was deaf. And his dad was deaf. He couldn't hear. He couldn't hear. He couldn't hear. And I had no idea my friend was signing And I had no idea my friend was signing And I had no idea my friend was signing and trying to communicate with his and trying to communicate with his and trying to communicate with his father outside the gym, and I'll never father outside the gym, and I'll never father outside the gym, and I'll never forget that. forget that. forget that. I was like I I I thought I knew him. I I was like I I I thought I knew him. I I was like I I I thought I knew him. I thought I knew something, but but I thought I knew something, but but I thought I knew something, but but I didn't really know what he was going didn't really know what he was going didn't really know what he was going through. I didn't really know the through. I didn't really know the through. I didn't really know the challenges he was facing at home. challenges he was facing at home. challenges he was facing at home. I didn't know that I didn't know that I didn't know that inside story. we don't have to we don't have to just judge people on what we know on the just judge people on what we know on the just judge people on what we know on the outside. outside. outside. We do that. We all do that. I do that. We do that. We all do that. I do that. We do that. We all do that. I do that. You do that. But we can grow. You do that. But we can grow. You do that. But we can grow. And instead of being like Joseph's And instead of being like Joseph's And instead of being like Joseph's brother brother brother envious I wish I had what they had. Da envious I wish I had what they had. Da envious I wish I had what they had. Da da da.

da da. da da. Talking bad about people. Talking bad about people. Talking bad about people. Posting things, texting things, passing Posting things, texting things, passing Posting things, texting things, passing things on. No, we don't have to be like things on. No, we don't have to be like things on. No, we don't have to be like that. We don't have to be envious. We that. We don't have to be envious. We that. We don't have to be envious. We can learn how to be empathetic. We can can learn how to be empathetic. We can can learn how to be empathetic. We can learn how to be understanding, to learn how to be understanding, to learn how to be understanding, to appreciate appreciate appreciate what's going on what's going on what's going on in their inside story. Um in their inside story. Um in their inside story. Um This past Monday I was talking to This past Monday I was talking to This past Monday I was talking to a friend of mine a friend of mine a friend of mine and named Tim and he was telling me and named Tim and he was telling me and named Tim and he was telling me some things about his story. some things about his story. some things about his story. He grew up in Maryland. He had a brutal, He grew up in Maryland. He had a brutal, He grew up in Maryland. He had a brutal, brutal family background brutal family background brutal family background and um and um and um just really rebelled when he was in high just really rebelled when he was in high just really rebelled when he was in high school. He had He had long hair, into school. He had He had long hair, into school. He had He had long hair, into drugs, and he was a fighter, man. He drugs, and he was a fighter, man. He drugs, and he was a fighter, man. He just loved to fight. just loved to fight. just loved to fight. Well, you fight long enough, you get in Well, you fight long enough, you get in Well, you fight long enough, you get in trouble long enough, you get enough trouble long enough, you get enough trouble long enough, you get enough detentions, eventually you're going to detentions, eventually you're going to detentions, eventually you're going to get arrested. So, my friend Tim got get arrested. So, my friend Tim got get arrested. So, my friend Tim got arrested and thrown into juvie. arrested and thrown into juvie. arrested and thrown into juvie. Which for Which for Which for most of you know, that's a most of you know, that's a most of you know, that's a a form of prison for people who aren't a form of prison for people who aren't a form of prison for people who aren't of age yet.

of age yet. of age yet. So, when he was in juvie, he was brought So, when he was in juvie, he was brought So, when he was in juvie, he was brought before a judge. before a judge. before a judge. There he stands and the judge gave him There he stands and the judge gave him There he stands and the judge gave him an option. an option. an option. He said, "Tim, He said, "Tim, He said, "Tim, either you can stay here in Maryland and either you can stay here in Maryland and either you can stay here in Maryland and you will stay in juvie for the next 2 you will stay in juvie for the next 2 you will stay in juvie for the next 2 years until you're 18, years until you're 18, years until you're 18, or or or you can get you can get you can get out of the state of Maryland." So, as a 16-year-old, So, as a 16-year-old, Tim was kicked out of the state of Tim was kicked out of the state of Tim was kicked out of the state of Maryland. Maryland. Maryland. How many people could say that? He didn't know what to do. He had a He didn't know what to do. He had a brother that was living in Tennessee. brother that was living in Tennessee. brother that was living in Tennessee. So, So, So, got a bus ticket, got a bus ticket, got a bus ticket, got on a Greyhound, got on a Greyhound, got on a Greyhound, got on the road, got on the road, got on the road, and Tim was headed to Tennessee. and Tim was headed to Tennessee. and Tim was headed to Tennessee. 16 years old, 16 years old, 16 years old, hair down to his waist, smelling like hair down to his waist, smelling like hair down to his waist, smelling like weed, weed, weed, gets off the bus in Tennessee and what gets off the bus in Tennessee and what gets off the bus in Tennessee and what is going to happen to Tim is going to happen to Tim is going to happen to Tim in Tennessee?

in Tennessee? in Tennessee? Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Because that's just Because that's just Because that's just a part of his story. a part of his story. a part of his story. That's not the whole story. That's not the whole story. That's not the whole story. It's not the whole story. It's not the whole story. It's not the whole story. Every story has at least three parts, Every story has at least three parts, Every story has at least three parts, right? It has a beginning, right? It has a beginning, right? It has a beginning, a middle, a middle, a middle, and an end. and an end. and an end. And here's the deal. So many times in And here's the deal. So many times in And here's the deal. So many times in life, life, life, we think we're at the middle or the end we think we're at the middle or the end we think we're at the middle or the end of my story. We panic. OH, NO, THIS IS of my story. We panic. OH, NO, THIS IS of my story. We panic. OH, NO, THIS IS THE END, and it's not the end. THE END, and it's not the end. THE END, and it's not the end. Many times the end is simply a new Many times the end is simply a new Many times the end is simply a new beginning. beginning. beginning. It's a new page. It's a new chapter It's a new page. It's a new chapter It's a new page. It's a new chapter that's going to be written in your life that's going to be written in your life that's going to be written in your life and in your story. And what you'll find and in your story. And what you'll find and in your story. And what you'll find is that that ending, what you think is a is that that ending, what you think is a is that that ending, what you think is a dead end, is a brand new road, a brand dead end, is a brand new road, a brand dead end, is a brand new road, a brand new path, new path, new path, a new chapter a new chapter a new chapter in the great story in the great story in the great story of your life.

One of the most brilliant philosophers One of the most brilliant philosophers who've ever lived was a Christian by the who've ever lived was a Christian by the who've ever lived was a Christian by the name of Søren name of Søren name of Søren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard said this. He said, "Life Kierkegaard said this. He said, "Life Kierkegaard said this. He said, "Life can only be understood backwards, but it can only be understood backwards, but it can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." must be lived forwards." must be lived forwards." And what that means is is that we really And what that means is is that we really And what that means is is that we really can't understand can't understand can't understand our life or the meaning of many things our life or the meaning of many things our life or the meaning of many things of our in our story of our in our story of our in our story until it's already happened, until we're until it's already happened, until we're until it's already happened, until we're reflecting back on it. reflecting back on it. reflecting back on it. But we have to live our life But we have to live our life But we have to live our life forwards forwards forwards as we sing right here, right now. Right as we sing right here, right now. Right as we sing right here, right now. Right here, right now. That's where we're here, right now. That's where we're here, right now. That's where we're living our life. We're living our life living our life. We're living our life living our life. We're living our life in the present, not knowing what will in the present, not knowing what will in the present, not knowing what will happen in the future. happen in the future. happen in the future. First Corinthians chapter 13, verse 12 First Corinthians chapter 13, verse 12 First Corinthians chapter 13, verse 12 says this. It says, "We don't yet see says this. It says, "We don't yet see says this. It says, "We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog things clearly. We're squinting in a fog things clearly. We're squinting in a fog and peering through a mist."

If we don't see things clearly now, If we don't see things clearly now, if we're just peering into a mist when if we're just peering into a mist when if we're just peering into a mist when it comes to the story of our life right it comes to the story of our life right it comes to the story of our life right here, right now, and what's going to here, right now, and what's going to here, right now, and what's going to happen next, what do we need to do? Where do we need to go? Where do we need to go? How do we make our way through? How do How do we make our way through? How do How do we make our way through? How do we be sure we're on the right path in we be sure we're on the right path in we be sure we're on the right path in the story the story the story of our lives? of our lives? of our lives? Here Here Here is what I believe is a game is what I believe is a game is what I believe is a game changer. There's a story There's a story that people see. There's a story There's a story that people don't see. that people don't see. that people don't see. And then, there's the story And then, there's the story And then, there's the story that only that only that only God God God sees. says this, says this, "You have searched me, O Lord, and you "You have searched me, O Lord, and you "You have searched me, O Lord, and you know know know me. You know when I sit and you know me. You know when I sit and you know me. You know when I sit and you know when I rise. You perceive my thoughts when I rise. You perceive my thoughts when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and from afar. You discern my going out and from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my lying down. You are familiar with all my lying down. You are familiar with all of my ways." And as we go on and read in of my ways." And as we go on and read in of my ways." And as we go on and read in Psalm 139, we say, "All the days of my Psalm 139, we say, "All the days of my Psalm 139, we say, "All the days of my life were written in your book." God has

life were written in your book." God has life were written in your book." God has a story a story a story with your name on it. with your name on it. with your name on it. And God knows exactly what's going on in And God knows exactly what's going on in And God knows exactly what's going on in your story in this very moment. your story in this very moment. your story in this very moment. God knows your story. God knows your story. God knows your story. There's a story that people know, and There's a story that people know, and There's a story that people know, and there's a story that people don't know. there's a story that people don't know. there's a story that people don't know. And then there's a story that only And then there's a story that only And then there's a story that only God God God knows. And your story And your story matters matters matters to God. Let's say that out loud. My to God. Let's say that out loud. My to God. Let's say that out loud. My story story story matters to God. Let's say it again. My matters to God. Let's say it again. My matters to God. Let's say it again. My story matters to God.

I was reading in I was reading in Ephesians today. Ephesians today. Ephesians today. Surprise, surprise. Surprise, surprise. Surprise, surprise. And in Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, And in Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, And in Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, it's phenomenal. it's phenomenal. it's phenomenal. Phenomenal. Phenomenal. Phenomenal. The God who made the universe, The God who made the universe, The God who made the universe, the God who is the source of all life the God who is the source of all life the God who is the source of all life and understanding, this God and understanding, this God and understanding, this God had you in mind before he even created a had you in mind before he even created a had you in mind before he even created a thing. He had his eye on you. thing. He had his eye on you. thing. He had his eye on you. He chose you. He chose you. He chose you. He lavished and poured out his love on He lavished and poured out his love on He lavished and poured out his love on you. you. you. He's adopted you into his family as a He's adopted you into his family as a He's adopted you into his family as a son or as a daughter of God. son or as a daughter of God. son or as a daughter of God. He has placed inside of you a deposit of He has placed inside of you a deposit of He has placed inside of you a deposit of his spirit to empower you, to guide you, his spirit to empower you, to guide you, his spirit to empower you, to guide you, to lead you. all because of his grace and mercy for all because of his grace and mercy for you. He has good works prepared for you, you. He has good works prepared for you, you. He has good works prepared for you, a good life, a great story, an amazing a good life, a great story, an amazing a good life, a great story, an amazing story that he's prepared beforehand for story that he's prepared beforehand for story that he's prepared beforehand for you to walk in.

God loves you so much. Your story God loves you so much. Your story matters so much to God that God entered matters so much to God that God entered matters so much to God that God entered into this world, entered into our into this world, entered into our into this world, entered into our reality, entered into our existence reality, entered into our existence reality, entered into our existence through the life of his son. through the life of his son. through the life of his son. That we might not have to kind of wonder That we might not have to kind of wonder That we might not have to kind of wonder why am I here, where am I going, what's why am I here, where am I going, what's why am I here, where am I going, what's the meaning, but we can know him by the meaning, but we can know him by the meaning, but we can know him by knowing his son and trusting that he has that he has the best story the best story the best story for us. Your story. Your story. Your story Your story Your story matters matters matters deeply I invite you to pray with me.

I invite you to pray with me. Wherever you are, just bow your head, Wherever you are, just bow your head, Wherever you are, just bow your head, close your eyes. Father, we're so Father, we're so thankful thankful thankful that we are not alone in the universe. that we are not alone in the universe. that we are not alone in the universe. God, no matter where we are, God, no matter where we are, God, no matter where we are, if we're in the busy, hectic city, if we're in the busy, hectic city, if we're in the busy, hectic city, if we're on a mountaintop, if we're on a mountaintop, if we're on a mountaintop, if we're stuck in traffic, no matter if we're stuck in traffic, no matter if we're stuck in traffic, no matter where we are, whether we're at school or where we are, whether we're at school or where we are, whether we're at school or at work or at home, whether we're high, whether we're low, whether we're high, whether we're low, whether we're up, whether we're down, whether we're up, whether we're down, whether we're up, whether we're down, God, we know that you know us. God, we know that you know us. God, we know that you know us. You know us. You know us. You know us. You see us. You see us. You see us. And as a father, you have pursued us and And as a father, you have pursued us and And as a father, you have pursued us and lavished your love upon us lavished your love upon us lavished your love upon us through your son. God, we thank you God, we thank you for what you're going to do in all of for what you're going to do in all of for what you're going to do in all of our lives this week. Help us to our lives this week. Help us to our lives this week. Help us to understand the story we're in.

understand the story we're in. understand the story we're in. Help us to respond to you Help us to respond to you Help us to respond to you right here, right now. right here, right now. right here, right now. In Jesus' name.