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
Wow, that would be an amazing collection of stories for sure! Thanks Glynn.
We're all going for the Ultimate sequel, all of life, with its many tests, is spent getting to that.
Absolutely--we thank God for abundant grace! Thank you Maureen.
Jason,
Some weeks back, I was weary. Not whiny (been there), just really, really weary. (Will you think less of me if I confess I felt downright hopeless?)
Then the Lord whispered, it's not over yet.
More weeks have gone by. Things have gone from worse to whatever's way past worse.
I so appreciate this post.
I wouldn't think less of you for being human.
I love those holy whispers too. It's amazing how much strength we gain from those quiet moments. Praying for you, Anne. It's definitely not over and He has your world in His hands…
I love the idea of a carnival on each of our sequels! But I'm grateful to God for the many second chances he gives. I'm not sure if my life is a trilogy in need of a prequel (with extra CG effects!), or more along the lines of an epic poem. All I know is that the last act isn't written yet. Thanks for your post.
Love it! Thanks Fathafrank.
I was forced into a divorce situation 26 years ago… crushed in the sense that I would never have wanted to have that occur. Marriage is forever. I felt that I had failed God, failed the Body, failed, failed, failed.
A year later God dropped a wonderful man into my life… a total surprise to both of us … and we will soon have our 25th anniversary. He is a faithful, loving, godly man… I couldn't have anything better.
I sometimes still am sorry that the divorce occurred. But it's just for a moment. The revelation of love towards me happens instant by instant.
My first may have had more drama, more intensity, but the sequel… ain't nothing more exciting, freer, filled with more and more ministry opportunities. The "natural" sequel wouldn't seem as enticing… but the "spiritual" sequel can't be equaled in any way.
Thanks for pushing some thoughts.
Wow, Joanne. What a testimony. Thank you for sharing your sequel and God bless you!