How do you enter a story?

The end of the video below says, "Enter the Story." Yesterday we jumped from this question to see what story we were entering and why we would enter it. The story was that of God's presence--promised in Leviticus 26, provided in John 1, and envisioned even more fully in Revelation 21. We would enter that story now--the story of John's vision, Jesus being the lamp of God's light, the Father and the Son being the world's temple--because it is that 'entering' that is the act of faith. It is that act of expectant loyalty that shows we have a hope and that we believe in that which is not yet. This is the time of Advent--becoming a people preparing for Christ's return and being prepared by God for that return. But I suppose one question remains...a rather large question! How does one enter a 'story'? What does it mean?

To enter a story means taking the plot of the story--its problem and its anticipated resolution--and making it the purpose of your life. For Christians, the problem is a sin-sick world which does not yet reflect the reign of our Lord. For Christians, the solution is a re-created world with the reign of our Lord being undeniable. We live into the story by reflecting the reign of Jesus now, in spite of the discouragement. We live into the story by looking forward to the end of the story and recognizing that we are in a time where many doubt the truth of the story we tell. Still a little abstract?

Today I met a woman named C. She is a grandma who provides oversight for three of her grandchildren and two children. I want her to know that God is present to her. I want her to catch sight of the vision of Revelation 21. So, I spent some time talking with her. Hearing her concerns. Offering presence in the future. Sharing with her local programs that may be of financial assistance because of her care for her extended family. The story in which I'm trying to live makes sense of this conversation...and it gives it a purpose. C could be financially independent at some point and that will change how I interact with her because the story hasn't changed--God still loves her and wants to be present to her--but my entry into her story will have changed.

No real conclusion to this thought...perhaps because most good stories have promises of continuations and sequels. Even the end of the story of God's presence is not the end, but just the beginning of a much richer story that will never stop being told.