The Great American Musical That Is Life

In high school, I was involved with every musical the drama department produced: My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Carousel. Each of them, including The Music Man, Oklahoma!, and Hello, Dolly! at community theatre, cemented into my brain the belief that life has a soundtrack—and that soundtrack fits with and enhances the actions on stage.

So strong is the connection in my mind between music and story that I cannot think of one without the other. I purposefully leave my iPod on shuffle to test my hypothesis that the right song will play in your life for each dramatic moment—just as it does on stage. And frequently I’m right.

So, you’d think I’d be used to the intersections, but it is still a magical moment when God—because that’s Who I know writes the score of my life—inserts the right song into my libretto.

Enter conflict

I’ve just entered a phase of life that is, while not exactly the Dark Moment, certainly dim.  For the first time in my life, I am unemployed—and it was unexpected. On a recent Sunday, I needed reassurance that God was faithful and would not leave me—that He had the strength even though I did not.

Worship that day began with:

Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever

Forever God is faithful. Forever God is strong.

Forever God is with us. Forever. (Chris Tomlin)

From there:

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God
You do not faint. You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak. You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles. (Chris Tomlin)

And the service ended with Great Is Thy Faithfulness and it’s fantastic line, “There is no shadow of turning with Thee.”

God was pulling a Bill Engvall, “Here’s your sign!”

God speaking

The next Sunday, I am having a hard time seeing the way forward and am worrying about the future. So what does worship start with?

Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Today is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
And I won't worry about tomorrow; I'm trusting in what You say.
Today is the day. (Lincoln Brewster, bold added)

In my last week at work, I had to go in to do some work in the office rather than work from home. I didn’t think I could do it. As I’m approaching work, this song plays on my iPod:

When you're alone, your heart is torn, He is all you need.
When you're confused, your soul is bruised, He is all you need.
He's the rock of your soul. He's the anchor that holds
Through your desperate time.
When your way is unsure His love will endure, and peace you will find
Through all your years, the joy, the tears, He is all you need. (Steve Camp)

When my last day on the job came and I’m driving home, afraid (yet again) for the future:

My life is up and it is down. I try to keep both feet on the ground.
Your love is all that gets me through. All I need on this earth is You.

And I can hear Your voice inviting:
"I'm here. I'll never leave your side.
My stubborn weary child, I am still here.
Please let me lead you on. Your race is already won.
I am your God." (Leigh Nash)

If you don’t know God, you may be tempted to think I went and found the songs I needed to salve my soul. But the worship service songs are documented and the other two are noted on my Facebook page at the time they happened.

But what does this have to do with writing? Why did I write about this on Novel Rocket, a site devoted to providing you with the propulsion you need to launch your novel dream?

God whispers and roars

If I had read this account in a novel, I would have been tempted to give a little sanctimonious sneer, “Too much, too much. The author overplayed the ‘God’ card.”

Are we willing, in our novels, to let God be God? He is, as C.S. Lewis wrote, an untamed lion. God should always provide, in your novel, whatever your character needs to believe or to take the next step—regardless of whether that seems over the top. This is what He does.

It’s a cliché that “truth is stranger than fiction.” Don’t use that in your book. But don’t be afraid to have your fiction be true—even if it seems strange.

Michael Ehret loves to play with words and as editor of the ACFW Journal, he is enjoying a new playground. He also plays with words as a freelance editor/writer and as a contributor here on Novel Rocket. He has edited several nonfiction books, played with words as a corporate communicator, and reported for The Indianapolis Star.

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All That and Toilet Paper?

Today's guest devotion is by Diann Hunt, from: Delight Yourself in the Lord…Even on Bad Hair Days © 2011 Summerside Press

All That and Toilet Paper?

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.  Mark 6:51-52

Like many newlyweds, when we were first married, we struggled financially. Six months into wedded bliss, we found ourselves needing groceries. Being young and full of faith, we decided we would tell no one…but God.

            

Several days into this, as our stomachs growled and the food cabinet grew bare, I got a call from a friend wanting to know if I would go shopping with her. The last thing I wanted to do was go shopping. We barely had enough to put a meal together; shoes were the last thing on my mind. Yet, not wanting to spoil her enthusiasm and not wanting to let on that there was a problem, I quickly agreed.

            

Once I hung up the phone, I asked God for strength and grace to go shopping with my friend, and for help to keep our need from her. We wanted to rely totally upon God for this need.

            

So I got dressed and ready to go. My spirits perked as I thought about spending some time with my friend and enjoying our day.

            

When she showed up at the front door, she had a paper sack filled with groceries in her hands. I opened the door and she walked inside, heading straight for my table. She plunked the groceries on the table and turned to me. “I know this seems crazy, but during my quiet time this morning, the Lord told me you needed this.” Then she marched back to her car and brought in several more bags of groceries—right down to paper towels and toilet paper!

            

God had thought of everything.

            

I’ll never forget that day. We hadn’t told a soul of our need. We were careful to not let on to anyone that we had a need. I don’t know if we were putting God to the test or just plain trusting, but He came through for us. The thing that I hadn’t expected was how surprised we were. We say we trust Him, so why is it when He comes through for us we are surprised?

            

God met our need that day—and every day since then.

            

Do you have a need? Have you given it over to Him? God uses His people to reach out to others. It doesn’t hurt to share your need—unless He tells you to do otherwise. But no matter how you handle it, He is there for you. Trust Him. He’s a BIG God.              

Today’s Prayer:  Father, thank You that You are so much bigger than any need we have. Thank You for understanding our fears and for the strength You provide in times of challenge. Help us also to be an extension of Your hands to others in need.    

Diann Hunt admits to seeing the world from a slightly different angle than most, and she will do just about anything (within reason) for chocolate. Since 2001, Diann has 20+ books, including Love Letters in the Sand. Diann has won the American Christian Fiction Writer's prestigious Book of the Year award in her genre. Diann and her real-life hero-husband make their home in Indiana. Visit her website at www.DiannHunt.com

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