Stories; we all love them. You have the romantics, the adventurers, the learners, the misunderstood, etc. Even the most analytical of people enjoy stories of fact, logic, and data.
For myself, I can not express how many times I've been aboard a pirate ship, a part of a wagon train, or training to fight in an intergalactic army. In the midst of being swept up in this, however, we often return to reality dissatisfied with our own story. Iconic lines found in books, music, and films alike have protagonist wanting to 'write their story' or 'choose their fate.' As with most people, there was a time when I, too, made such brazen speeches of the future. Outside of the narcissism of it all, it really boils down to the hope of living a story that matters and helps shape part of our world. A story that the rest of the world wants. What I suppose I, and we all fail to realize or simply forget in those moments, is that God is the greatest author and already has a story written for us. The difference between the fictional characters and us is that they never looked at the author and told them what would, should, or could happen to them. Rather, in these stories, we see characters that have been shaped and formed with personalities and talents that set the stage for a book of purpose. In all these stories, regardless of the character aptitudes, what makes them great is the characters' choices, good or bad. I mean, we wouldn't know about Moby Dick if Ishmael hadn't chosen to set sail, King Arthur wouldn't have died brokenhearted if he had chosen to look beyond Geneviers beauty, heck, Katniss would never have married Peeta if she hadn't chosen volunteered for tribute. My point is that, unlike the characters who are not real and could not actually choose, we are and can! We each have a decision to make in our story every day, and it dictates how good it is going to be. This is the choice: seek God or seek self. Let him be the author or try to steal the pen.
Now, I don't have it all figured out, but I know which is better with or without an earthly 'Happily Ever After.' That is why I have handed the pen back to God to write my story, and He is beginning this new chapter with me serving Him overseas.