This false narrative was lived out through many years of working too many hours a week at whatever ministry, job, or schooling I was doing. You can imagine when you are a pastor it’s easy to justify overworking because you are doing “God’s work”. Whenever anyone would ask me how I was doing I would relish in saying somewhat pridefully, “I’m busy”… I was always busy.
Now this answer “I’m busy” no longer define who I am. I know I don’t have to be busy to be of value. My narrative changed when I learned the importance of rest in my walk with God and how he designed us for resting in Him as an act of trust.
What false narratives or story do you struggle with?
A “narrative” is the central function of the human mind, according to James B. Smith, author of A Good and Beautiful God. He says we have family narratives that give us a a worldview, a work ethic, or what can give value as a person. There may be stories about grandparents that reinforce how your family has always acted. We have cultural narratives that can define generally a nation or region. As an American we may hear about “rugged individualism” and stories passed down about the Revolution or pioneers heading west. We also have religious narratives that help us understand who God is. These stories are taught in church, at home, and in books we read.
False narratives about God abound. Religious narratives are informed by Scripture, other people, our experiences, and more, but we don’t always get them right. If we aren’t careful our whole Christian experience can be twisted by a false narrative concerning God.
For instance, If you were raised in a ‘fire and brimstone’ preaching church, it may be hard for you to believe deep down that God isn’t always angry, especially at you. Your narrative of God is one of continual judgement. Or, if you have experienced the loss of a loved one after praying for their recovery, it may be hard for you to believe that God is always trustworthy. You believed God would heal them and He didn’t. To you, this may show God is not always trustworthy.
We must continue to ask the Holy Spirit to refine our thinking about who God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit really is. A correct view of God is foundational to spiritual growth. If we have a false narrative about God, and how He interacts with us as His children, this will greatly affect how we live.
If you want to discuss this concept more, I want to invite you to a 2-part teaching series starting this Sunday. We will be meeting the next 2 Sunday mornings at 10am while Rev. Dan Lewis is teaching abroad. For these two weeks, I want to look at two foundational narratives we often have a difficult time believing with our whole heart. That is:
