Chapter 3
Has anyone ever recommended a book to you that they were absolutely raving about?? The energy they had when talking about this book made you want to pick it up ASAP, and they were likely adamant you give it a shot?
That's happened to me a few times. One time in particular, I was already in a reading spree, so I was eager to grab another book. Someone I liked, and really looked up to, made a suggestion. It wasn't a series like I normally go for, but it was from an author I enjoyed... so I figured I'd give it a go!
As I mentioned, it wasn't a series, so the whole story line started and ended in these pages. It was a thick book, but I figured the buildup would for sure happen by the end of chapter 1.
Boy was I wrong. Not only did the build up not happen by the end of ch. 1, but the whole first chapter was B-O-R-I-N-G. Mega boring. I went into chapter 2 a little discouraged, but thought for sure this would be where things got good.
Also wrong.
It was less boring than chapter 1, but it was still feeling like nothing was happening-- or could happen at this rate.
I reached out to my friend and asked them what made them like this book so much. She went on and on about how suspenseful it was and how much action there was. Were we reading the same book?? Did I accidentally grab the wrong book? To save my sanity, I grabbed my blackberry to search what books she had out- and verify I had the correct one. (if you don't know what a blackberry is, google it. if you do, don't forget your Advil tonight ;) )
Turns out that it not only was the correct book, but the reviews were all really good; very similar to what my friend said. So I got myself some snacks, and reluctantly went back up to my room to keep reading.
Chapter 3.
It started out just as slow as chapter 2, but it QUICKLY redeemed itself. Now I understood what everyone was saying! The suspense and action were great! I couldn't put it down. It only took a few days to finish the book! It felt like it took less time to read the remainder of the book than it did to read the first 2 chapters. While the book started out rough, boring, and not really enjoyable, it was redeemed in chapter 3, and I was able to feel: excited, exhilarated, hopeful!
In the book, you got an outside-looking-in view of the characters and what was happening. The reader knew what was in store for each character before they did. It was great when something good was going to happen! You got to read along and be excited for them to find out, meanwhile they're drudging along, trying not to lose hope. Then, when the good thing finally happened, you were so happy/excited for them, it felt like you were right there!
Life is a lot like chapter 3, isn't it?
Sometimes the seasons we are in- chapters- seem to move so slow, with very little happening. They drag out for what seems like eternity (I can't be the only one who gets this dramatic, right?), even though we as believers have an idea of what real eternity is. We get so caught up in the moment, we lose sight of what God has in store for us in later chapters.
It's been 15 years since this incident happened, but I think about it a lot. I kept thinking to myself that the author had no idea what she was doing; even after I'd just completed a series by her that I absolutely loved. Because of my lack of understanding, insight, immaturity, or whatever you want to call it, I doubted her plan for the book. She knew what she was doing, but "I knew better".
It saddens me to say that sometimes I do that with the Author of my life, too. (Jeremiah 29:11) God has written so many beautiful stories for me. Like any story worth reading- there's ups and downs, highs and lows. The best part of the stories written by this Author, though, is that they aren't over until they're good. (Romans 8:28) There IS HOPE when we are in the middle of a patch that doesn't seem "good" to us.
What prompted me to recall this memory was that I was kind of living my life as if I were stuck in chapters 1 & 2:
- Good things were happening, but not as fast as I wanted.
- I couldn't see a way out- I wasn't trusting the Author.
- I allowed myself to be consumed by the world and distractions.
- I was looking to myself to "fix" my situations instead of looking up.
- I couldn't fathom how things would ever work themselves out; total lack of trust.
Once I was able to get my eyes fixed back on God, I was able to see that living in chapters 1 & 2 is exactly what the enemy wants for me. I have no idea when the next chapter of struggles, depression, grief, or loss will show up, but I do know that when they're here, I HAVE TO KEEP READING. I can't simply just stop mid-chapter because it's hard! I have to lean into God and use His strength, let Him carry me, fully trust and rely on Him.
Whatever chapter you are in, please keep reading; literally and figuratively! Reading the Bible is the best medicine, and you'll be amazed what it will do for you.
You are the ONE He left the 99 for. Keep reading.
