Editing our lives

Donald Miller is one of the best Christian writers around today. His books and articles are always full of insight, and his writing style belongs to the 'easy listening' station.

When I began reading his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years I thought perhaps he had actually written a boring book. The theme of life being like a story--a story that we can rewrite as we are right in the middle of it--was not a new idea. But his story-telling skill hooked me and before I got halfway through I knew that this book was about me (and you).

We actually can decide to write in new and exciting scenes in our own life stories. It takes courage and focus. It's sort of like reinventing yourself. But not as shallow as that sounds. God gives us the freedom to make choices and energize ourselves. Like Frank Schaeffer, Donald Miller is a disturbingly honest writer.

Miller tells us to lower our expectations of ourselves and others. He says that when we stop expecting other people to be perfect or live like we want them to, we will be much happier. Same for God. He writes, "When you stop expecting God to end all your troubles, you'd be surprised how much you like spending time with God."

And how about this for honesty: "Growing up in church, we were taught that Jesus was the answer to all our problems...To be sure, I like Jesus, and I still follow him, but the idea that Jesus will make everything better is a lie. It's basically biblical theology translated into the language of infomercials."

In a real sense, our lives are in our hands. Not that the Spirit isn't there too--with us, in us, through us. But God calls us to take responsibility. Just as an alcoholic has to take responsibility for his actions and his problems before he can begin to be healed of his disease, all of us have to begin the healing of our addiction to a fantasy life of pure happiness with the acceptance of our responsibility. Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter, and Jesus gives the keys to our lives to us.

Sometimes the Spirit sticks his foot out and trips us up in order to get us to look up. When we refuse to change our ways, the Spirit will knock us off our horses so that we will pay attention. But the next step is ours. When we have the courage to begin to rewrite the story of our lives, we are also participating in writing the Story of Human History. When we improve ourselves we also improve the world. Somehow, mysteriously, the Spirit is part of the whole process. But that doesn't let us off the hook. It is still our responsibility to follow Jesus--to listen to the Voice--to become who we are meant to be.

Donald Miller says that the gospel gives hope. And I agree. There is Good News--Glad Tidings--Exciting Possibilities--New Days.