How many times have you walked out of a sequel to a great movie saying, “it was okay, but it wasn’t as good as the original� Whatever the motivation, most stories get tarnished as they go through the wringer the second time around. There are exceptions, for sure, but for the most part, this is accepted as fact (and we have plenty of experiences to back it up).
Now think about the worst movie you ever watched. The plot had holes. The characters lacked depth. The ending was terrible. You found it hard to root for the protagonist. Whatever it was, you just hated it. Chances are they would never make one, but regardless, would you show up for the sequel?
God doesn’t work the way we do (or the way Hollywood does). His ways and thoughts are much higher and He is well known for making sequels to stories no one cared for in the first place. The Bible is full of examples.
Joseph’s life was over. His brothers wanted to kill him but settled for slavery instead. All that promise and potential, down the tubes. The end.
Oh, but in the sequel he keeps rising to the top only to be smacked down until finally he becomes ruler directly under Pharaoh, saves his family, and essentially the world at that time. Big turnaround.
Jesus’ life literally ended. It seemed a nonsensical ending to a man who done only good to everyone around Him. Jealousy, betrayal, unspeakable violence, undeserved punishment… The end.The sequel opens on a beautiful Sunday morning at a garden tomb. Women come to anoint his body, but He’s not there. Complete and eternal victory is won! History is changed forever.
Besides the rich stories in the scriptures, I have experienced this firsthand.
My wife and I had had enough. We had gone through the pain of foster parenting. A child came into our care that fit our family perfectly. We had watched miracles in this little baby’s life and there were hopes of adoption until all that was gone with one phone call of “good news†that an adoptive family had been found. Devastation, loss, hopelessness… The end.
Then God ordered a sequel to be made. Reluctantly, we reentered the fray—tried to love again without holding back, knowing the sting of potential loss. Turned out, the fight was still there, but the outcome was completely different. The next two that came were ours forever.
The original stunk, but going back for the sequel was more than worth it.
I can see clearly that God will bring us back to places of defeat so that He can show us what true strength is. I am so thankful no story is too bad that God can’t make a good sequel out of it. Whether we failed or it had nothing to do with us doesn’t matter because He is the One who brings everything into proper perspective and fulfillment.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (1 Cor. 12:9-10)
You can call it a second act or a sequel or whatever you want. God redeems. God restores. Our strength is not what He’s looking for. He wants someone who is willing to display His strength.
If we will follow Jesus back, it may be painful. But He is more than able to turn the desert into a spring, to make the battlefield where we were soundly defeated the last time into a place of overwhelming victory.
…Little ones to Him belong. I am weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me… I have a lot of reason to rejoice in all of the above.  What’s your sequel story or are you living it out right now?
This post is part of a blog carnival where today’s topic is Strength hosted by Bridget Chumbley. Be sure to check out all the entries—I know you’ll be blessed!
34 Comments
I love the idea of looking at things as a 'sequel' in life. So many things don't always end well the first time, but that doesn't mean it's the end. I'm so happy for the wonderful ending to your sequel, Jason. You, your wife, and those adorable children have all been blessed to have found one another.
Love this post Jason! While not in your ball park with a story I have experienced this recently. On July 11th i was riding my bike when a dog came after the other rider and took me down instead. I have since had neck surgery for a bulging disk. We should be settling this week and the financial compensation should allow us to realize a dream of paying off 3 bills (the last & only credit card bill I have left & 2 vehicles) with more left over. We are going for debt free and this will take us close. Initially, I was bummed but a sequel has shown that God was in it with His plan.
I have several sequel stories but as you've heard them all before, I won't waste your space here.
You said, "God redeems. God restores. Our strength is not what He’s looking for. He wants someone who is willing to display His strength." Seems to me that we don't have strength anyway. At least I know I don't. I'm pretty much bankrupt. *ahem* (Where have I heard that before?) But sometimes I have to go through stuff that reminds me that God is the one with the strength and I'm not. That way, He gets all the credit (which he deserves anyway.) It also has this added benefit of making me cling to Him which is what He's looking for and what I need.
My life sequels are along the lines of Rocky movies…there always seems to be another one coming down the pike. LOL.
I have been truly amazed by the way God can take my defeats and failures and turn them into His victories.
Great post, Jason!
Very well written, Jason. Love this.
I think we all have sequels. My life now is definitely better than the original one I had planned without God. And I hope there is a sequel even better in the near future.
Whether we look at our stories as sequels, acts, or chapters, God brings about the perfect ending in His timing and from His perspective.
"God will bring us back to places of defeat so that He can show us what true strength is." Chewing on this.
Thank you, Bridget.
Whoa--like you said, the pain is bad, but even in that, God can bring something amazing and unexpected out it. It all works for our good. Thanks Bill and blessings to you…
It seems kind of sad to me that some people would coast through life on the little strength they have instead of understanding and living the strength that God has for them. Like those "Christian Atheists" who believe in God, but will do it their own way. I believe God gives each of us some strength and natural ability, but then He gives us the opportunity to use that little strength and seek Him so that something miraculous can be accomplished. There are times we come to the end of our strength (i.e., bankrupt) and still the Father is waiting there to renew us in the midst of it. What a gracious God!
Thank you, Sarah, you are a great blessing.
That is too funny (but true). Turning defeats into failures is sort of His specialty! Thanks Dusty.
Thank you, Duane. And the Bible tells us "from glory to glory" so rest assured there is always something better coming as we hold on to Him…
Amen and thank you, Sandra.
"Coast" is a good verb here. A bit painful though. In my life, I've been notorious for the tendency to drift through on Auto-Pilot. Then, when I get ready to drift right into a brick wall, I wonder what has gone wrong. I have to live intentionally, purposefully, but at the same time, in His power instead of my own. Jason, that's HARD! But WHEN I can manage it, there's so much grace and joy in it!
Great timing on this post! Yesterday at our women's prayer meeting, we talked about how the enemy uses discouragement to beat us down so that we feel incapable of doing what God wants us to do… incapable of reaching out and accepting His gifts… When I got home, and prayed privately, I realized that I have let discouragement prevent me from moving on to the "sequel". It's time to shake off the discouragement, and just remember that if this desire was placed in our hearts by Him, then He will make us capable.
Love this. Jeff just finished up a great series based on a book called Epic. All of our lives are a story within the bigger Story: Tell a better story. Live a better story. Amen.
Yep, it's most assuredly hard! Surrender is hard. Death is not for the faint of heart. His life shines through us though and I know you know that's pretty incredible.
Amen! Thank you Helen.
Sounds like a great series! Reminds me of what I was preaching last week in Hebrews 11 and 12. The faithful all died believing the promise but not receiving so that with us it would come to fulfillment. All our lives, believing, struggles, obedience, and grace are woven together to create something incredible. Thanks Kat!
I think my sequel is MUCH better than the first showing…since I met Him that it!
Awesome post bro'
I think this is a great comparison of how God works in our lives. He always takes us out of the first act of our lives, when we were lost and desperate for life. From that he takes us into the second act of our lives and out of our despare and saves us. I really enjoyed this posting and the deep truth you convey!
You can call it a second act or a sequel or whatever you want. God redeems. God restores. Our strength is not what He’s looking for. He wants someone who is willing to display His strength.
Amen! Great words of encouragement!
That's the key ingredient and main factor, isn't it! Thanks Jay.
Thanks Melissa.
That's what it's all about. I just need to be sure to remember this everyday! Thank you Kevin.
We all should do a blog carnival called "My Life: The Sequel." Great post, Jason.