Pastor's Corner: Seeing Your Story in God’s Story – Imagine That!

Last month, my family and I were driving to Boise for a conference. It was a beautiful drive on a sunny day down US 95 as we journeyed much of the length of Idaho. Leaving the Palouse behind, we travelled through the L/C Valley, across the Camas Prairie. We went up and over White Bird Pass and then descended into the Salmon River Canyon. Along the way, it was fun listening to the commentary from our children as we passed soft sand beaches, grazing cattle and rushing rapids along the Salmon River in springtime (and even some waterfalls in the smaller creeks hurrying down to meet up with the Salmon).

As we were driving through Riggins our daughter was imagining what life might be like living in such a place. We would pass a house, and she would say, "Let's live here!" or "It's perfect! There is even a fence for our dog." Then she would start seeing herself (and our family) in that place. She imagined what life might be like, walking down the sidewalks. Going to the river. Fishing each day. By the time Riggins was falling away in the rear-view mirror, she reported that this would be the best place to live. Then quickly added, "Besides Endicott."

She seemed to be swept off her feet by that river and canyon.

They drew her in.

She could envision us living there with great detail; her imagination working hard filling in all the gaps and dreaming what life might be like.

We can engage the Bible "God's story" in a similar manner.

Might we read the stories in scripture with such imagination; seeing ourselves, our families, inside the biblical story itself? Using our imaginations as we read the Bible is something most of us are not well practiced at, but it can open up the scriptures to us in more meaningful ways.

It can help us connect the stories we hear and read in the Bible to the story of our life.

The parables of Jesus are good places to start. Read the parable of the two sons found in Luke 15:11-32 and see yourself in the story.

Do you relate to the younger or older brother? Can you put yourself in the father's shoes? Then, read the parable from the perspective of a different character.

Envision yourself in the story.

Play with it.

Have some fun.

Dream a little.

This imagination work is not mere play or dreaming, but points to an important aspect of our faith. Our story is a part of God's story, just as the story of Joseph's life told in Genesis, or Ruth's or Esther's or Peter's or Paul's or Timothy's are parts of God's story. The story of God being active in the world God created, working to bring new life and love. You are a part of that. God is working through you, through us, in this time and place. Your story is a part of God's story. Can you imagine that?

Thanks be to God,

Pastor Phil Misner

Trinity Lutheran Church, Endicott

Peace Lutheran Church, Colfax