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“He must increase, I (John) must decrease. John 3:30 (ESV)

I have this cutesy little boxed frame of daffodils blowing in the wind with four words scribbled at the bottom: “Live A Great Story.” Gotta say I bought it for myself. Strategically placed it within my direct view of my computer. It’s my inspiration to not just strive to write a great story but to truly live it.

So what does that really look like? Living a great story is one in which we decrease and God increases. It’s simply turning the focus off self and onto God. Not so easy right? All too often, we see our world through our lens and not God’s. Decisions, feelings and reactions quickly default to self – what’s good for us. When we continually put self at the center of everything then our story loses its potential for greatness.

Living a great story propels us to walk in obedience. It chooses love, kindness, joy and humility. It seeks God’s agenda and not our own. It draws others into the amazing redemption story of our Savior’s love one chapter at a time. It’s a refreshing breath of air for those who are tired of charting their own course. It’s embracing grace rather than condemnation for those moments when we all miss the mark.

I think you get the picture…..if we want to live a great story then we have to remember who is writing it. We can’t dictate the pages, chapters, etc. of our story. However, we can determine to live surrendered to His story. So what’s a girl to do…realize obsession with self is highly overrated, but a deep God desire to live for His glory will always shine bright.

Don’t know what your great story will look like or what God is challenging you with in the unfolding days of 2018. We’re already 28 days+ into a new year. Goals may have been broken. Resolutions tossed aside. We may be swirling in the pit of regret or overly confident that we’ve got it all under control. We may be facing the greatest challenge ever. Regardless of where life finds us, I‘m praying He moves us all away from self and closer to Him. I’m asking you to join me on the greatest journey ever – living a great story for His glory – best read ever!

“Father, self easily rises to the surface despite our brave efforts. Help us to ease out of first place and resist the urge to write our own story. Teach us the value of desiring Your greatness instead of our own.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life