Living In The Larger Story

Elisha fully understood what it meant to be a part of the larger story. As the scene opens, his servant was clearly part of the smaller story, until the Lord opened his eyes.

Do you remember? An overwhelming army had moved in during the night surrounding Elisha and the boys. They were severely outnumbered…for those who were nearsighted. Elisha had been blessed to see the larger story and prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see what he was seeing. The servant’s eyes were opened, revealing the army of the Lord riding chariots of fire waiting in the mountains, far outweighing his previous fear.

With one request from Elisha, God blinded every member of the Syrian army. Do you think there was a run on seeing-eye dogs in Syria? This could be described as an “open and shut” case for Elisha.

Welcome to the larger story, servant of Elisha.

Elisha’s servant was caught up in his own personal story, unable to see the bigger picture of God. Elisha was not. He got it and was able to see the glory revealed by the Father.

For those who follow Christ…you are part of a bigger picture, a larger story. You no longer live in a world of small things with limited scope. When you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you were cured of nearsightedness and given a vision that can only be diagnosed as “supernatural.”

When those around you hear the words “cancer” or “downsize” or “there’s nothing more we can do,” just as Elisha’s servant, panic ensues. Unbelievers simply do not have the hope and promise that those who follow Christ have. Be an Elisha. See beyond your current circumstance to envision how the Lord is going to rescue you from the situation. Pray for the vision that your Father has for you. Pray for the gift of the larger story.

I am certainly not implying that followers of Christ never suffer from panic or nearsightedness.

Moses did. When he was called to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, he pleaded, he gave excuses, he wanted to weasel out. But ultimately the Lord convinced him, and he gained his vision and accomplished the task. He understood that he was part of the larger story.

Jonah did. The Lord got his attention. A few days inside the stinky guts of a whale, and his eyes were opened. He too came to understand that he was a part of the larger story.

Jacob did. He wrestled with The Great Wrestler and the Lord got his attention until he once again became focused on the supernatural…albeit with a limp. And, yes, he found his place the larger story.

Most likely when faced with challenges, the humanness in you will excuse, will run, or will wrestle. Your Father will bless you with vision.

You were designed to be a part of the larger story. For those who do not believe in God, it is impossible to be a part of the larger story because it is He, our Creator who created it.

Protect yourself from being one of the Christians who live in their own personal world, refusing to acknowledge the awesome power of our Father. But instead, hold fast to the promises of God, and step up in faith into the realm and glory of the larger story.