Fairy tales often begin with once upon a time, but the tale doesn’t stop there. It can’t. A story ends well if we find the answer to one question…
And then what happened?
Without that question, we have no plot. And there must be a plot. The plot drives the story forward. Right?
But here’s where our story differs from the fiction we read and write. Our stories have sagging middles. And I don’t mean I-quit-doing-my-sit-ups sagging middles. The sagging I refer to is the endless waiting, circuitous wandering middle.
It’s during these middles we, as doers, feel helpless because the forward movement has stopped. There is no action. Or is there?
We fail to comprehend this new plot twist because we’re not the author of our stories. The Master storyteller holds the pen, and He knows the exact pace needed to accomplish the character arc He desires.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4 KJV
Truth: Sometimes we need a sagging middle to move us forward.
The Lord alone knows how to structure our story to bring us to a delightful ending.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV
He has made the needed provisions for our salvation, and He’s making the necessary revision in our lives. Hence, the sagging middle. Hang in there. We can and will finish strong if we yield to His hand.
Another fact to rejoice over is our Lord never suffers from writer’s block! He has known the end of our stories from the beginning.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
As writers we understand, only the Author who knows the ending can finish the story. And He alone will finish the story. May we all allow Him to write His story upon our hearts.
Who’s writing your story?
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Gail Johnson 
What a wonderful message! It is not easy to keep following the Lord when the ending chapter is not always clear. When I’m feeling this deeply, I try to remind myself of Romans 5:8. If God loved me so much to send Jesus when I was rebelling against Him, then He still loves me today and will always. May these temporary trials refine our love and lives for Him. Bless you, Gail!
Thanks, Melissa! I agree. We must focus on Jesus. You always encourage me with your comments. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Ah, I’m so guilty of trying to grab the pen and write my own story, or wishing to get a peek at the end of the Manuscript. How wonderful to remember that our Author has it all covered! Thanks for sharing this today 🙂
Anne, I’m so sorry. I thought I had replied to your comment. I understand wanting a peek at the manuscript. Guilty. Thank you for visiting.
Of course Gail, and no worries!
BTW, I don’t know if you do these sorts of things, but I “tagged” you 🙂 https://thenaptimeauthor.wordpress.com/2018/10/13/ive-been-tagged/
And sometimes the fact that we don’t know the ending is scary. The sagging middles are scary. But God… when everything is going on or swirling around us like a swirling dervish, or finally over, we simply have trust to him. Often hard, often scary, but doable. Peace in him!
Yes! Linda, you are so right. I often find myself wanting to take His pen and do it myself. But we have to trust. Like you said, it is doable. Blessings.
This is a beautiful message! God is writing my story and He knows the beginning, middle and end. He knows the sagging parts. He knows the joys. I pray I will listen for His guidance to help others draw closer to Him.
Melissa, you are a beautiful light of His love! And He is definitely writing your story. Blessings, sweet friend.
Thank you Gail. You are so sweet! Thank you for being such a great encourager.
Melissa, you’re welcome. Thank you for your encouragement!
Beautiful post, Gail. For me, I truly believe it’s during those “sagging middle” times where I grow the most.
Thanks, Jill. I totally agree. Unfortunately, we recognize that in hindsight. I remind my kids, it’s in the hard times you learn and grow. Never despise those blessings in disguise.
The Master storyteller holds the pen, and He knows the exact pace needed to accomplish the character arc He desires. Amen!
Good morning! It’s not always easy to calm to His pace, is it? Yet, the choice is ours to believe that He truly knows best. Oh, how easy it is to become dissatisfied with our pens of free-will. We want to write the whole story. 🙂 Ah, the peace we find when we acknowledge His sovereignty! Thanks for commenting.
Sssssoooo correct! A good principle for by life, “keep Jesus as my greatest Treasure, therefore submit and surrender to His Sovereignty and I’ll find myself satisfied. Bless you today!
Your words are very deep. We write our story ourselves. God gives us the pen. We must write. A hug
I agree, Benito. God has written the story of salvation. We help write our stories with the choices we make. Thanks for commenting.
Good morning dear Gail. Love this. My favorite take away is that the Author of our faith never gets writer’s block. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Thanks, Julie. I am thankful He doesn’t have to second guess Himself. He knows! You have a blessed day, my friend.
Will do in the name of Jesus!