Del Tackett has worked with Focus on the Family and is the creator of The Truth Project which I’ve heard accolades for.
At the Ligonier National Conference this year, he spoke on the meta narrative – the big story/purpose. He started with a quote from a post modernist that scoffed at the idea of a bigger story that can give an encompassing explanation, saying it is just a tool to legitimize some version of the truth. (And most post modernists scoff at the idea of absolute truth.)
Then Del Tackett asked, as Christians, do we believe that there is a meta narrative, and that it is a good one, even when it brings hardship, pain, suffering, and rejection.
He then read Isaiah 47:9-11, Jeremiah 29:11, and Phil 2:13 which state clearly there is a plan and purpose of God, and that it is for our good. Do we believe that?
He showed how Jesus showed that truth is absolute, universal, unchanging, exclusive, non-contradictory, and the ultimate reality. There is a danger when a worldview loses touch with reality and is based on what we want to be true.
Jesus also showed that truth is objective and knowable. And truth is consequential. Ignoring or rejecting truth has consequences.
He ended with some consequences of losing sight of the meta narrative. It leads to the death or relationships. If everyone is only interested in their own story, then we know that every other person is only looking to us to see how we can enhance their own script. There is no sacrifice.
That leads to isolation, alienation, rejection of authority, and loneliness. This results in anger. We get angry when someone steps on my script, someone does something that goes away from my version of how my life should go. He pointed to Elijah, Moses, David, and others who got angry when their script wasn’t played out just right.
This leads to hatred and bitterness, which can lead to depression and despondency.
The final question is – are you going to base your Christian walk on how you feel or on what you believe is really true?
He showed how in the Garden of Gesthemane, Christ went to God 3 times, probably as an example to us that we must continually give up our script.
Not my will, but Thine
Not my story, but Your story
Not my script, but Your script
For me this fits right in, of course, with the words from Trusting God by Bridges. Everyone who comes into my life (good or bad), everything that happens to me, is permitted and providentially and sovereignly brought about by God.
At work – this means every email, every text message, every meeting, every phone call, every todo.
All of it is of God – how will I react?
Too often I get angry or overwhelmed.
Another great place to see this play out is in my marriage. When something doesn’t go exactly my way – when Anthony steps on my script, how do I react?
My short list of reactions that I wrote yesterday:
Pray for God’s provision – 2 Cor 9:8
Express gratitude that God loves me so immediately and dearly – 1 Thess 5:16-18
For gentleness in my response – Col 4:6
Plea for patience and peace and equipping to resist pressure and anxiety – Phil 4:19, 2 Tim 1:7
God is faithful!
