This was your life . . .

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

(John 15:1-11 [ESV])

This was the scripture reading for today's sermon message. Pastor talked about the branches that were taken away and the various views on what that means. He showed us from similar texts how it is possible for someone to receive the label of “believer” or “disciple” and still not truly be a follower of Jesus, since they did not endure to the end.

This made me imagine a movie. Something like “This Was Your Life” from the crude tract publisher Chick Tract LLC. Whenever you go to a movie you have to go with some sense of belief. We call it the willing suspense of disbelief. Because many of the things in a movie are just too impossible to happen in real life. So in order to enjoy the movie we suspend our disbelief. But what if the movie you were watching was your life? 

What if on a daily basis you had to trust that the movie of your life would end up with a happy ending? If I had to count how many times I said to myself “I can't believe this is happening to me” I think I would quickly run out of space on my paper. Bad things happen. If you're like me you don't like it when things take a turn for the worse and I usually look for some one or something to blame. Many times, sorry to say, I have blamed God. You know the creator, director, and producer of this great big movie we call universe and the little part we get to play in it. 

All I'm suggesting is that when your life (your movie) begins to suck don't walk out of the theater demanding your money back. Take a breath, if you can't believe it at least try to suspend your disbelief. Give the Creator Director God the benefit of the doubt and trust He will give your movie (your life) the happy ending you long for.

At the end of each day, no matter how bad my movie (my life) sucks I want my words to be, “I'm going to watch it again tomorrow” trusting my Creator Director God will turn the plot around and I will eventually get to the episode with the happy ending.