WRITING A BOOK
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) tell a story. They follow our Savior from the time of His birth until His resurrection. He lived His entire life for us through the eyes of these writers.
Most stories tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. In these books, there is nothing but good about our Lord, other than the rejection He suffered and the persecution He endured. The bad and the ugly come from the Romans and the religious leaders and their treatment of Jesus and His followers.
Though the writers of the Gospel were led by the Holy Spirit in writing the account of Jesus’ life, they have a part of themselves in the recording of His thirty-three years on earth. Some of the accounts are found in all four books, and some only one. Each writer directs His account toward a specific group, a group familiar to them: Matthew writes to the Jews; Mark writes to the Gentiles; Luke writes to the Greeks who had become Christians; and John writes to all men. John’s book does not contain many of Jesus’ miracles and none of His parables. He also does not give us the details of Jesus’ birth. Instead, John returns to the beginning of time to show that Jesus was there, creating that which God designed.
So, if four people wrote the story of your life, what would be included? Would there be the good, the bad, and the ugly? If your life was as open and subject to scrutiny as was the life of Jesus, how would you hold up?
There is a book called “Daily Splashes of Joy,” written by Barbara Johnson. She has 365 gems that are inspirational and spiritually uplifting. As you consider someone writing about your life, think about these thoughts from Johnson’s book.
She says, “We should all live as though someone is writing a book about us.” But that thought is nothing new. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
In speaking of this life, she says, “The journey is sometimes as important as the destination.” I had to think about this, but then I considered the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. He decided that his life didn’t mean much. It wasn’t exciting, and the grass looked greener in a far country. So, he took his inheritance and went on his journey. There he “squandered his property in reckless living.” Circumstances changed his life. He had no money, no friends, and even nothing to eat. With a demeaning job of feeding pigs, “…he came to himself.” He made the long trip home and there humbled himself and begged for a job—not his position as the son of a family unit, but as a hired servant. The words he spoke tell us his journey was as important as the outcome. He said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” Sometimes it is that way with us. It takes a hard and difficult journey to bring us back to our heavenly Father.
Ms. Johnson says, ”Be kind to unkind people—they need it the most.” We show our wisdom by our good conduct. James says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18). In Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World,” he says, “Kindness is love in work clothes.” Just read First Corinthians, and you’ll see just how much work goes into loving kindness.
This leads us to another inspirational quote. “People with a heart for God have a heart for people.” Paul, speaking to bondservants and masters says, “Obey your earthly master with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5-6). Though he is speaking to slaves, as slaves of the Gospel, should we not do the same?
One of Johnson’s splashes of joy really speaks to the way we live our Christian lives. She says, “If we make a mistake in judgment, let it be on the side of mercy.” In Luke18:11-14, Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee and the publican. Both come to offer prayers to God in the temple. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” Notice his attitude. It is all about what he did and how “godly” he is. The publican would not raise his eyes to heaven because he did not think himself worthy. His prayer is very different; “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus proclaimed him to be justified because of his humble attitude. Mercy is about compassion and forgiveness, and this Pharisee shows neither of these.
In order to receive God’s mercy, we must show mercy. Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:17). In order to benefit from God’s mercy, we must show mercy. If we do, we will live as though someone is writing a book about us. All the thoughts, words, deeds, every aspect of our lives is being recorded in the Book of Life to be read in judgment. Our journey is truly as important as the destination.
Sandra Oliver