LEADERSHIP IDEA—June 2007
By Patty Moore, Ministry to the Military

Life Is a Story

John Eldredge, in his book, The Epic, proposes that all of life is a huge story. This story is true and contains all of the elements that any great mega film or cleverly written adventure book usually includes. We find in this first and greatest story all of the elements in which every other story that feeble minds have created are patterned. The beginning, an evil villain, a struggle, a rescue by a champion and hero, and the triumphant ending, are all elements of this epic and of any great manuscript.

As children of God we quickly realize that we are part of this Great Story. As leaders we can draw from the analogy of life as a story some useful lessons and thoughts in fulfilling our destinies.

SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

We often get so involved in the endless details of our “job,” we can let it slip our minds that we are part of a much bigger eternal story. If we could physically look into the realm of the spiritual, and see the scope of what we are really involved in, we would be overwhelmed and astounded. “The big picture” is truly a monumental landscape painting. I often feel like a small pixel that is almost microscopic. Lest I get caught up in my own smallness, it is very exciting to think that I am important in the story. I am significant in the painting! The Great Story and the big picture involve all of mankind and every period of history. Reminding myself of that helps me not to “sweat the small stuff” as much. It also helps me to have a much larger perspective beyond my small world.

Yes, it is important to keep focused on details, because the thousands of small details help to form the bigger picture. Though, in doing so, we need to be cautious that we do see the forest through all the brush and trees.

MY ROLE

In this Great Story of life, I have a key role to play. I can easily acquiesce and excuse myself, but I would be the loser. I must see my role as vitally important and that if I fail, or if I stand on the sidelines, it will make a huge difference. If I succeed, if I engage, fill my place and step into this saga, I will make an eternal significance in the kingdom of God. We must see ourselves as being integral pieces of the huge masterpiece being painted and of the momentous epic being written. It isn’t “thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think” to sense, and act on that sense, that our role is crucial to the mission and what we do in this life really does matter. Inspiring others in our leadership role to join with us in that mission is one of the most important things that we can do.

WAGING WAR

I have long known that we are in a war. The enemy is fierce, cunning, and dangerous. If I thought for one moment that I was in this alone, I would quickly surrender. I know though, that our weapons are strong, sure, proven, and available. I am glad that God is at the helm leading the army and that we are going to win the war. He goes before us into battle and will conquer. This knowledge gives me courage to fight right behind Him and join in with fellow soldiers.

THE NEVER ENDING STORY

This story that we are caught up in is an eternal one. The here and now is so consuming that I can easily forget that I really am headed somewhere. Knowing that I am headed to a land that will never end motivates me to keep moving forward, to never stop, to continue working and living productively, because I know that none of it is in vain. Not only am I rewarded here and now along the way, but I will be rewarded even after I leave the sphere of this present world in which I now live.

When I reflect on these things, it affects how I lead and approach others. We would do well to remember:

1. When we bump up against roadblocks; are bogged down in the details of the present project; discouraged by temporary setbacks; or elated by the fickle praise of men, remember that these are only small things in light of the big picture and the Great Story of life.

2. My life, my ministry, and yours really do matter. We each have a place to be, a road to walk and a destiny to fulfill. As we do so, we can help others to discover and walk in that realization as well.

3. We have a fierce enemy that would try to distract, destroy, ambush and detour us. Being alert and aware but not fearful or paralyzed, while waging this war with our spiritual weapons will keep us in balance and on track.

4. We need to work and live as pilgrims on a journey in a land where people have been taken captive. We live and work to free them in this short span and breath that we call life. What we do has eternal consequences.  

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