It seems most days I'm asked, "So what do you do Mark?"
This question comes in lots of forms, but still the same question... "What do you do with your days?...What is your line of work?... What kind of job do you do?", etc.
I'm realizing as life goes on, this question is important yet fails to surface the real story. My story. I'm left to default to one phrase that summarizes one thing I do that defines my whole life.
Over the years I have tried to master this one phrase, but it always changes. I've gone from "I'm in a band..., I party pretty hard..., I ride the waves of adrenaline...," to... "I work for ......, I direct over......,or I lead the....." All have failed to capture the story. I suppose some day it will be, "I'm retired..., I have 6 grand kids..., or "I'm trying to keep up with the yard work..." Blah, blah, blah...
So what happened to STORY? What if the question were, "So where are you now in YOUR story Mark?" This question moves me from the surface to the heart. My story now involves RECONCILING my past to what I am BELIEVING in the present. How is what I am currently DOING connected to a future I am PURSUING that encompasses my WHOLE heart, mind, and soul? Not easy. Then there's the day to day questions like... Why does great anger still surface when I'm faced with even a hint of rejection? Why does the movie Forrest Gump move me to weeping even after the 20th time? Why do I still frantically apologize for the mess covering the floor of my car when a friend unexpectedly needs a ride? Where am I really in my story?
A story lies behind all I do and all I believe and all I am pursuing today. If "all things will be laid bear before all" one day, than isn't this story worth pursuing now?
I can't think of anything we have that carries more weight to our credibility, to our own healing, and to the hope we have to give others than STORY. Our story.
I'm excited to get back to work soon for round two. Thanks for tuning in!
