Recently RadioLabs had this story of two improv comics who start off with no script and literally create a fifty minute one act play as they go along. It is amazing, and I wish I could see this happen in real time.
In the interview the comics were asked what happens to them if a story does not materialize? I mean what if they are off one night and they are not able to come up with a story on the spot for a paying crowd? How do you avoid being without a story?
The response was beautiful and I leave it to you to listen to the actual quote but the essence is this - We don't make the story we only step into a story that is already in progress. We live the story for just a bit then, when our time is up, we let the story continue without us. The characters live on after we see them, the story goes on after our time.
I could not articulate a better theology.
If you are not going to listen to the RadioLabs show, then just think about the show, "Quantum Leap". A show that I only vaguely remember.
A show about a guy who has the ability/gift/curse/task of being beamed into some situation. He literally takes on the body of another person for a time in order to affect a situation. This really dates before me, but I hope I am right in that summary.
You and I only embody this world (aka - God's Story) for a period of time. We are not responsible for creating the story, just responsible to step into the story that is already in progress. We embody the Story for a while then, when we die, the Story lives on.
The improv comics were liberated by the idea that they are not responsible to create a story, but just to find one already in progress. Their liberation allows them to have the freedom and creativity to do the show for fifty minutes even without knowing each step.
Contrary to popular thought, Christianity teaches that you and I are not the protagonist of our lives. We are not the creator of stories. We are the stewards of the Story of God. We do not own our individual stories. Everyone's story belongs to God.
We get the opportunity to live it for a bit of time.