Worth Longevity.

”Storytelling and storied living take time. If I’m serious about following Jesus as His student, I want to know the story that He was sure of. Following means stepping into His controlling, explanatory narrative.”

Those are words written by author Charlie Peacock in his book entitled "New Way to Be Human", written 16 years ago. I like to call him Chuck.

Big isn't big enough. Let this Story God wash over you.

I can't tell you how all this happened.

Big isn't big enough.

I can't really explain how it all started.

Big isn't big enough.

I can't fathom being one in billions to be caught up in The Story.

Big isn't big enough.

I can't take in the consolidated suffering and tears that populate The Story.

Big isn't big enough.

I can't fully imagine the boundless joy that is strewn through this plot to eternity.

Big isn't big enough.

The storytelling and storied living of The Story takes time.

Among many aspects, the time part is really humbling.

There is time for... Learning. Struggling. Rejoicing. Savoring. Grieving. Celebrating. Dying. Screaming. Living. Time for the storytelling and storied living of our specific life.

I am considering the words of the Bible book of Matthew, chapter 1, verses 21, 22 and 23. "She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet (Isaiah). 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which means God with us.'"

These words were first written by the prophet Isaiah and recorded in the Bible book of Isaiah, chapter 7, verse 14.

It's interesting to see how the dictionary defines longevity. "Long life. Long existence or service."

The Prophet Isaiah probably wrote the above words recorded in the Bible book of Matthew around 7 centuries before Jesus was born to the virgin. 700 years. Please, 700. I'm struggling at the drive through window in minute 3.

THE STORY IS WORTH LONGEVITY.

Spoken and then waited for.

Plenty of time to be forgotten.

The story is worth longevity.

Plenty of time to be mocked.

The story is worth longevity.

Plenty of time to be doubted.

The story is worth longevity.

Plenty of time to be ached for.

The story is worth longevity.

Ah yes. The waiting and the aching woven into the storytelling and the storied living. Today.

I want it to be this big. I want it to be so grand and glorious even when the waiting and longing is primarily filled with ache.

And what about today?

Still waiting.

The first waiting WAS fulfilled. That longevity culminated in "He will save His people from their sins." Thank you Jesus!!!!

And now we wait in a next waiting. Another longevity. That longevity will culminate in Face to Face. Shhhhh. Quieted to ponder it.

Face to Face.

The Story is worth longevity.

There's more.