Crafting Your Life Story: Decisions and Legacy
Summary
In our journey through life, we are all storytellers, crafting the narrative of our existence one decision at a time. Each choice we make becomes a chapter in the story of our lives, shaping not only our own future but also impacting those around us. The essence of our lives is captured in the stories we tell, and the decisions we make today will determine whether those stories are ones of pride or regret.
Reflecting on the stories of our parents or legendary family tales, we realize that while events unfold, they are not perceived as stories but as current events. However, once these events pass, they transform into stories we either cherish or wish to forget. The key to crafting a story worth telling lies in the decisions we make during these unfolding events. Our lives are a series of decisions, and the quality of those decisions is often determined by the questions we ask ourselves.
In our current series, "Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets," we explore the profound connection between asking good questions and making wise decisions. By asking and honestly answering five pivotal questions, we can ensure that our decisions lead to a life with fewer regrets. The first question, the integrity question, challenges us to be honest with ourselves. Today, we delve into the second question, the legacy question: "What story do I want to tell?"
When faced with a decision, consider the story you want to tell when this moment becomes a part of your past. Do you want to be the hero or the villain? The good example or the cautionary tale? Each decision contributes to the narrative of your life, and you have the power to choose a story that you will be proud to share with future generations.
The story of Joseph from the Old Testament serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of this question. Despite facing numerous challenges and injustices, Joseph consistently chose the better story, refusing to let bitterness dictate his actions. His decisions not only shaped his own life but also impacted the lives of many others, creating a legacy worth telling.
As you navigate your own life, remember that every decision is an opportunity to write a story worth telling. Choose wisely, and craft a narrative that reflects the person you aspire to be.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Storytelling: Our lives are a series of stories shaped by the decisions we make. Each choice becomes a chapter in our narrative, influencing not only our future but also the lives of those around us. By consciously crafting our story, we can create a legacy worth sharing. [01:26]
2. The Legacy Question: When faced with a decision, ask yourself, "What story do I want to tell?" This question helps us focus on the long-term impact of our choices, encouraging us to make decisions that align with the story we want to create. [05:07]
3. Emotional Clarity: Emotions can cloud our judgment, leading us to focus on immediate gratification rather than long-term consequences. By pausing and considering our story, we can gain clarity and make decisions that reflect our true values. [10:11]
4. Learning from Joseph: The story of Joseph illustrates the power of choosing a better narrative, even in difficult circumstances. By refusing to react with bitterness, Joseph crafted a story of resilience and integrity, impacting generations to come. [17:14]
5. Writing a Good Story: Every decision contributes to the story of our lives. By choosing wisely and considering the legacy we want to leave, we can write a story that we are proud to tell, one decision at a time. [28:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Love of Story
- [00:35] - Creating Our Life Story
- [01:26] - Current Events to Stories
- [02:13] - Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets
- [03:14] - The Prudent See Danger
- [04:26] - The Integrity Question
- [05:07] - The Legacy Question
- [06:22] - Decisions and Consequences
- [07:44] - Writing Your Life Story
- [09:12] - Avoiding Regretful Stories
- [10:11] - Emotional Fog in Decision-Making
- [12:47] - Press Pause on Emotional Decisions
- [14:01] - Joseph's Story: A Legacy Preserved
- [19:22] - Joseph's Decision-Making Technique
- [21:03] - Joseph's Story Continues
- [27:38] - What Story Do You Want to Tell?
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 39:1-23 - The story of Joseph in Potiphar's house and his decision-making.
2. Proverbs 22:3 - "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." [03:14]
Observation Questions:
1. What were the circumstances that led Joseph to be in Potiphar's house, and how did he respond to his situation? [15:44]
2. How does the story of Joseph illustrate the concept of writing one's life story through decisions? [06:04]
3. What does Proverbs 22:3 suggest about the nature of wise decision-making? [03:14]
4. How did Joseph's decision-making process differ from that of his brothers? [14:58]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Joseph's story demonstrate the importance of considering the long-term impact of our decisions? [20:06]
2. In what ways does the legacy question, "What story do I want to tell?" influence the decisions we make in difficult situations? [05:07]
3. How can emotions cloud our judgment, and what strategies can be used to gain clarity in decision-making? [10:11]
4. What role does integrity play in crafting a story worth telling, as seen in Joseph's life? [17:14]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. What story does it tell about you, and is it a story you are proud to share? [06:04]
2. Consider a current decision you are facing. How can asking the legacy question help you choose a path that aligns with your values? [05:07]
3. Identify a situation where emotions might be clouding your judgment. What steps can you take to pause and gain perspective? [13:00]
4. Think of a time when you were tempted to react negatively to a situation. How can Joseph's example inspire you to choose a better response? [26:35]
5. What are some practical ways you can ensure that your decisions contribute to a story you want to tell in the future? [28:34]
6. How can you apply the wisdom of Proverbs 22:3 in your daily life to avoid potential pitfalls? [03:14]
7. Reflect on a decision you regret. How can you use this experience to make better choices in the future and rewrite your story? [28:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Narrative of Our Lives
Our lives are a tapestry of stories, woven together by the decisions we make each day. Each choice becomes a chapter, not only shaping our own future but also influencing the lives of those around us. By consciously crafting our story, we can create a legacy worth sharing. The power of storytelling lies in our ability to choose the narrative we want to tell, and this requires intentional decision-making. As we reflect on the stories of our parents or legendary family tales, we realize that while events unfold, they are not perceived as stories but as current events. However, once these events pass, they transform into stories we either cherish or wish to forget. [01:26]
"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles." (Proverbs 1:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. How did it contribute to the story you are crafting for your life, and what impact did it have on those around you?
Day 2: The Legacy We Choose
When faced with a decision, asking ourselves, "What story do I want to tell?" helps us focus on the long-term impact of our choices. This question encourages us to make decisions that align with the story we want to create, ensuring that our narrative is one of pride rather than regret. By considering the legacy we want to leave, we can make choices that reflect our true values and aspirations. This approach not only shapes our own lives but also sets an example for future generations. [05:07]
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you are currently facing where you need to consider the long-term story you want to tell? How can you align this decision with the legacy you wish to leave?
Day 3: Clarity Amidst Emotional Fog
Emotions can often cloud our judgment, leading us to focus on immediate gratification rather than long-term consequences. By pausing and considering the story we want to tell, we can gain clarity and make decisions that reflect our true values. This process requires us to step back from the emotional fog and evaluate our choices with a clear mind. By doing so, we can ensure that our decisions are not driven by fleeting emotions but by a deeper understanding of our desired narrative. [10:11]
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." (Proverbs 14:29, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation where your emotions might be clouding your judgment. How can you pause and seek clarity to make a decision that aligns with your true values?
Day 4: Learning from Joseph's Resilience
The story of Joseph from the Old Testament serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of choosing a better narrative, even in difficult circumstances. Despite facing numerous challenges and injustices, Joseph consistently chose the better story, refusing to let bitterness dictate his actions. His decisions not only shaped his own life but also impacted the lives of many others, creating a legacy worth telling. By learning from Joseph's resilience and integrity, we can craft a story that reflects the person we aspire to be. [17:14]
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you choose a narrative of resilience and integrity, following Joseph's example?
Day 5: Crafting a Story Worth Telling
Every decision contributes to the story of our lives. By choosing wisely and considering the legacy we want to leave, we can write a story that we are proud to tell, one decision at a time. This requires us to be intentional in our choices, ensuring that they align with the person we aspire to be. As we navigate our own lives, we must remember that every decision is an opportunity to write a story worth telling. [28:34]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more intentional in your decision-making? How can you ensure that your choices align with the story you want to tell?
Quotes
"If you will ask and if you will answer honestly, and then if you will act on your honest answer to the five questions that this series is built around, I promise you, you will make better decisions and consequently, you'll live with fewer regrets. Your life will actually be better." [00:02:36]
"Every significant or unusual current event in your life, even a season of life, once it's behind you, once it's behind us, what do we do with it? We reclassify it as a story, a story we tell or a story we hope we never have to tell, a story too embarrassing or painful to tell." [00:01:29]
"The truth is, we write the story of our lives one decision at a time. Whether it's a thoughtful response or an emotionally fueled reaction, we write the story of our lives one decision at a time." [00:01:57]
"When this decision or maybe this entire season of life, when this relationship, when this business transaction is reduced to simply a story that you tell, what story do you wanna tell? Do you wanna be the hero or do you wanna be the villain? Do you wanna be the good example or do you wanna be the bad example?" [00:05:21]
"Every decision you make, every decision you make becomes a permanent part of the story, the story of your life. Every decision you make has an outcome, a consequence or a result, may be good or bad, desirable, undesirable, expected, unexpected, whatever the case." [00:06:12]
"Now, here's something that I think is true of all of us. You'd like to be able to tell your entire story without skipping any parts, without skipping any chapters or having to lie about the details, right? I mean, someday, you'd like to be able to sit down with your kids or maybe even your grandkids." [00:09:31]
"Emotion is like a fog. It causes us to lose sight of the broader context which is our story. And you know how this works. You're up against the deadline. You've gotta decide and you've gotta decide soon. If you won't marry me, I'm leaving. Nobody wants to be left." [00:10:16]
"Joseph overcomes the negative inertia, the temptation to just throw up his hands and give up. He refuses to throw up his hands and let fate have its way. Instead, he decides to serve Potiphar's household as if it were his own. And eventually Potiphar notices and he gives Joseph even more responsibility." [00:16:36]
"Joseph actually rehearses his story out loud as the context for his response to Potiphar's wife. This is how we know he made his decision within the context of his life story. So what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna kind of paraphrase the first part of his response and then I'll read the second part straight from the text." [00:18:13]
"Joseph decided the better of those two stories. He did the right thing, but the right thing turn out for Joseph. Potiphar's wife accuses him of trying to rape her and Joseph ends up in Pharaoh's dungeon. But Joseph's story wasn't over and your story isn't over either." [00:20:41]
"Joseph refused to react and in refusing to react, he avoided becoming like the people he didn't like. He decided. He against the gravitational pull of bitterness. So consequently, now that he's got the power, he is free and he is free to write a better story." [00:26:30]
"Every relational, financial, professional, academic decision and the outcome of those decisions, they become a permanent part of your story. So write a good one. Decide a good one. And if you haven't decided a good one up to this point, remember this, your current chapter is just that, it's a chapter." [00:28:48]
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