Playing Your Role in the Story of Life on this Planet

Playing Your Part in the Story of Life on Earth

Barbara Henderson

The Bible tells us a story of a mighty and righteous king named Uzziah. (2 Chronicles 26)

He was made king at age sixteen and ruled for fifty-two years.  Uzziah started out doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.  He sought the Lord in days of Zechariah who was a man of God.  The Bible tells us that as long Uzziah sought the Lord the Lord made him to prosper.  It tells us of the deeds and battles he fought successfully.  He had an amazing career seldom matched throughout all of history.  But then……

With all Uzziah’s successes you would think he would have never wavered from following God Almighty with his whole heart.  But verse 16 tells us one of the saddest stories ever told.  It says,

     ‘But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.’

Uzziah’s story should have ended in triumph, but it ended in disaster when he overstepped his boundaries and usurped the authority of God’s priests.  This was not done without severe consequences to Uzziah.  He became a leper.  He was cursed with leprosy until he died. 

A very interesting story here is that Uzziah sought the Lord in the days of Zechariah.  This is a key element when applying Bible teachings to personal actions.  This story is about Uzziah, but the star of the story, the godly guiding influence, was Zechariah.  We don’t know if Uzziah would have done well as long as he did without Zechariah’s influence.  I’m sure personal pride played a factor in his downfall, but apparently there was no godly mentor to step into Zechariah’s shoes after he died.  Zechariah’s story was just a part of Uzziah’s story.  Zechariah touched many other people while he lived his own life, and I am sure his influence ranged from great to small in those he touched.  And that is how each of us today live our own life.  We are influenced by some to a great extent, by some to a small extent, and we influence others to some extent.

Each of us, no matter how large a real-life role we play, is just a little part of the big story.  This brings us to the that old saying, ‘There are no small parts, just small actors.’ In watching movies and television I have often noticed that the so-called star of the show should have been someone other than the one getting top billing and the big bucks.  In the Biblical story of Uzziah Uzziah plays the role of a mighty king with one godly adviser – Zechariah.  When Zechariah was no longer there Uzziah became puffed up and forgot God. 

We all want to be careful to do right and follow wise counsel all the days of our life.  I am sure you have all noticed the recent passing of the Reverend Billy Graham.   I know he was controversial to many regarding his message.  Was he conservative enough when preaching the gospel?  Did he waver to far left in his message?  My personal opinion is that he was a mighty of man of God fully dedicated to reaching the world with good news of Jesus Christ.  I thank the Lord for the man’s long life and dedication. I think the world is a lesser place with the loss of every believer. 

My dad was a praying man.  My father in law was a fine example of Christian behavior.  When they passed the world lost two Christians.  They touched many people in their lives.  Some more than others.  And, that is how the rest of us live our lives.  While living our own story, we touch some people deeply and others just in passing. 

Take a few minutes to consider your own life. I can tell you that people are being influenced by you today either for good or bad.  Some are influenced deeply, and others just barely.  You can’t live your life in a way that doesn’t influence people.  I would guess that Zechariah was a mighty influence in Uzziah’s life. 

It is a fact that you influence others.  You are that important.  But even more important than the influence you have on others is the life you live for yourself.  Uzziah failed miserably when his influential person died.  Or, you could look at it as seeing that pride got the better of him.  Another Bible character who ended up a miserable failure was King Saul.  He, like Uzziah, took the office of priest instead of waiting for Samuel.  King David messed up the last part of his life by committing adultery and murder!  From these three examples you could wonder if everyone who starts out well winds up messing up their life later in their years.  I can assure you that is not the case.  Let’s look at some more Bible examples.

Think of Joseph.  He was sold as a slave by his own brothers, thrown into prison, and wound up second in command to all of Egypt.  The Bible does not tell us of any slip ups on Joseph’s part.  He was faithful to God all his life. 

I love the story of Samuel the prophet.  What a guy.  He went to live with the priest Eli in a terribly corrupt environment when he was only a very small boy.  We are never told of any wavering on his part in his faithfulness to God.

Then there is Daniel and the three Hebrew brothers.  They were taken as captives from their homeland as youths and thrown into the pagan court of Babylon.  They faced terrible tests and yet remained faithful to God.

Faithfulness to God is a choice.  Circumstances may make the choice a little more complicated.  I believe the first three people mentioned (Uzziah, Saul, and David) let Pride get in their way.  On the other hand, Joseph, Samuel, and Daniel avoided letting pride elevate them above the station the Lord had them in. 

So, let’s say you are someone who is not playing a big part in the story of world history.  The actual truth is you really don’t know how big a part you are playing.  Maybe Zechariah didn’t know what an influence he was on Uzziah.  Maybe he was just doing what he knew to be right.  Maybe you don’t know what an influence you are on those around you.  You are just doing what you know to be right with diligence.  The only thing we can know for certain is that it is very important that we do what is right on a daily basis.  Be careful that pride or boredom or greed or impatience doesn’t lead you down a path you will find painful a little farther down the road.  Billy Graham didn’t make it to almost 100 years old without a scandal in his ministry by accident.  He placed a great value on his faith and reputation.  Christians should do the same whether we are in a place of great importance or making tuna sandwiches on a cafeteria line.

BUT, what if you are a person who hasn’t started out that well in life?  Maybe you have already made some serious mistakes in your life.  Maybe it seems that your only influence on others has been on the side of wrong.  The Bible has an example for you also.  Let’s look at Saul of Tarsus.  He was a persecuter and murderer of Christians.  But God saved his soul and Saul became Paul the Apostle.

Paul did not make up for the evil he had done by turning to Christ and suddenly doing good.  Paul was forgiven for his sins by Christ just like all saved people.  Because Paul was saved he began to do good works.  His works showed evidence of his salvation.

God has work for us to do whatever age and whatever place we find ourselves.  Whether we are like Joseph and have been faithful, or like David and have found ourselves neck deep in sin, as long as we live our part of history is not all written down yet. 

If you were forced to take a look at your own life and put yourself in one of the following categories what would it be?

More like Joseph and Daniel so far – faithful without any big slip ups. (little slip ups quickly grow into big slip ups without immediate corrections)

More like David and Uzziah – good start but big sin in the middle.

More like Paul/Saul – late start but so far so good.

The truth is what really matters is today.  What are you doing with the days of life you have left?  Are you someone who applies Bible teaching to personal actions in a consistent manner?  The biggest help you can give yourself in living a life that is faithful to the Lord is to study His Word. 

In first Timothy Paul admonished Timothy to be faithful. 

     ‘¹⁷ Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

¹⁹ Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

²⁰ Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.’

Pay close attention to verse 19.  Those who did not keep a good conscience were made shipwreck.  I would guess some people who have stepped outside the bounds of proper Christian behavior would say ‘shipwreck’ is an apt way describe what is left of their lives.  Pay attention to your actions.  Small sins can quickly turn into big sins. 

You are writing your life story in how you live each and every day.  My dear friends, be so careful to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. Play the part you are given each day like you are auditioning for the starring role in a major big screen production.

Dear PZ Insiders,

I have an important appointment on Monday March 12 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle.  IF I qualify for surgery it will be a newer way to treat advanced ovarian cancer – major surgery and then aggressive chemo.  If not, we are not sure what my options are.  My ND (naturopath) has me on several things that can possibly control or slow the cancer.  I am praying these work. 

To those who don’t know, I had major abdominal surgery in October for bowel blockage due to excessive scarring from other surgeries.  I am just now getting over that, so I am not looking forward to more surgery. 

It is in the Lord’s hands.  Please pray for me.

The Lord bless each of you and answer all your prayers.

Barbara

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading my articles.  I hope they are helpful.  

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The Lord bless you and answer all your prayers.

Barbara