Embracing Our Stories: Finding Rest in God

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we begin with the raw materials of our lives—our bodies, our genes, our family backgrounds. It's crucial to acknowledge and be grateful for these elements, as they form the foundation of our stories. Psalm 100 reminds us that we are God's people, the sheep of His pasture, and He has made us as we are. Sheep, often seen as simple creatures, reflect our own struggles in accepting our origins and the unique stories God has given us.

Reflecting on the lives of historical figures like Arthur Schopenhauer and St. Augustine, we see contrasting approaches to life's raw materials. Schopenhauer, despite his intellect, struggled with acceptance, while Augustine, a brilliant thinker from Africa, embraced his journey with God. Augustine's "Confessions" reveal a profound exploration of restlessness—a universal human condition. He famously wrote, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You," highlighting the deep longing within us for divine fulfillment.

Restlessness is not merely a problem to be solved but a condition to be understood. It is a theological concept that invites us to seek God amid our discontent. Augustine's life teaches us that restlessness persists even in faith, urging us to continually seek God as our ultimate rest. Hebrews 11 reminds us that the great figures of faith did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes, yet their stories were woven into God's greater narrative.

We are invited to embrace our restlessness, allowing it to lead us back to God. Instead of seeking fulfillment in worldly achievements or desires, we can find peace in God's presence. By accepting our inadequacies and thanking God for our unique stories, we align ourselves with His purpose. Every story matters, and when placed in God's hands, it can be redeemed and transformed into a part of His grand narrative.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Your Raw Materials: Accepting the raw materials of our lives—our bodies, genes, and backgrounds—is essential. These elements are gifts from God, forming the foundation of our unique stories. Gratitude for these gifts allows us to partner with God in writing our life stories. [00:39]

2. Restlessness as a Spiritual Condition: Augustine's exploration of restlessness reveals it as a universal human condition. It is not merely a problem to be solved but a spiritual state that invites us to seek God. Our restlessness can lead us to deeper faith and reliance on God. [05:49]

3. The Role of Restlessness in Faith: Restlessness persists even in faith, urging us to continually seek God as our ultimate rest. It is a reminder that we are made for something greater, and our longing can draw us closer to God. [08:29]

4. Finding Rest in God: Instead of seeking fulfillment in worldly achievements, we are invited to find peace in God's presence. By accepting our inadequacies and thanking God for our unique stories, we align ourselves with His purpose. [09:29]

5. The Redemption of Our Stories: Every story matters, and when placed in God's hands, it can be redeemed and transformed into a part of His grand narrative. Our stories, with all their imperfections, contribute to the greater story of God's work in the world. [10:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Embracing Our Raw Materials
- [00:52] - Psalm 100: Sheep of His Pasture
- [01:25] - The Struggle with Acceptance
- [02:06] - Schopenhauer's Story
- [03:20] - St. Augustine's Journey
- [04:30] - Augustine's Confessions
- [05:49] - Restlessness Explored
- [06:39] - Restlessness in Autobiography
- [07:30] - Modern Restlessness
- [08:29] - Restlessness in Faith
- [09:29] - Finding Rest in God
- [10:09] - The Redemption of Our Stories
- [10:30] - Community Invitation
- [11:24] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 100:3 - "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
- Hebrews 11:39-40 - "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 100:3 tell us about our identity and relationship with God? How does this relate to the idea of being "the sheep of His pasture"? [00:52]
2. How does the sermon describe the concept of "raw materials" in our lives, and why is it important to acknowledge and be grateful for them? [00:39]
3. What are some of the struggles that Arthur Schopenhauer faced with accepting his "raw materials," according to the sermon? [02:06]
4. How does Augustine's view of restlessness differ from the common perception of it as a problem to be solved? [05:49]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the metaphor of being "sheep of His pasture" help us understand our dependence on God and our need to accept our origins? [00:52]
2. How does Augustine's statement, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You," reflect a deeper theological understanding of human longing and fulfillment? [05:49]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of restlessness in the life of faith, and how can it lead us closer to God? [08:29]
4. How can the stories of historical figures like Schopenhauer and Augustine help us reflect on our own acceptance of our life stories and God's purpose for us? [03:20]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own "raw materials"—your body, genes, and family background. How can you practice gratitude for these elements this week, even if they are not what you would have chosen? [00:39]
2. Augustine speaks of restlessness as a condition that persists even in faith. How can you embrace your own restlessness and allow it to lead you back to God rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly achievements? [08:29]
3. Consider a time when you felt restless or discontent. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now to seek rest in God's presence? [09:29]
4. How can you actively place your story, with all its imperfections, into God's hands for redemption and transformation? What steps can you take to align your life with His greater narrative? [10:09]
5. Think of a specific area in your life where you struggle with acceptance. How can you begin to see this as part of your unique story and thank God for it? [09:49]
6. Identify one way you can seek God's presence this week as your ultimate rest. What practical steps will you take to prioritize this in your daily routine? [09:29]
7. How can you share your story with others in a way that highlights God's work in your life, even in the midst of restlessness and imperfection? [10:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Unique Foundations
The journey of faith begins with acknowledging the raw materials of our lives—our bodies, genes, and family backgrounds. These elements, often seen as mere circumstances, are actually gifts from God that form the foundation of our unique stories. By embracing these aspects with gratitude, we align ourselves with God's purpose and partner with Him in writing our life stories. This acceptance allows us to see our lives as part of a larger narrative, where every detail is significant and purposeful. [00:39]

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one aspect of your background or identity that you struggle to accept? How can you begin to see it as a gift from God today?


Day 2: Restlessness as a Divine Invitation
Restlessness is a universal human condition that goes beyond mere dissatisfaction. It is a spiritual state that invites us to seek God amid our discontent. Augustine's exploration of restlessness reveals it as a profound longing for divine fulfillment. This restlessness is not a problem to be solved but a condition to be understood, leading us to deeper faith and reliance on God. By embracing our restlessness, we open ourselves to the possibility of finding true rest in God's presence. [05:49]

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel restless? How can you invite God into these areas to find peace and fulfillment?


Day 3: The Persistent Call of Faith
Even in faith, restlessness persists, urging us to continually seek God as our ultimate rest. This persistent longing is a reminder that we are made for something greater than worldly achievements. The stories of great figures of faith, who did not receive what was promised in their lifetimes, teach us that our longing can draw us closer to God. By embracing this restlessness, we acknowledge our need for God and align ourselves with His greater narrative. [08:29]

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13, ESV)

Reflection: How does your restlessness remind you of your need for God? What steps can you take today to seek Him as your ultimate rest?


Day 4: Finding Peace in God's Presence
Instead of seeking fulfillment in worldly achievements, we are invited to find peace in God's presence. By accepting our inadequacies and thanking God for our unique stories, we align ourselves with His purpose. This shift in focus allows us to experience true peace and fulfillment, as we rest in the assurance of God's love and guidance. By placing our trust in Him, we find the strength to navigate life's challenges with grace and confidence. [09:29]

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV)

Reflection: What worldly achievements are you pursuing for fulfillment? How can you shift your focus to find peace in God's presence today?


Day 5: The Redemption of Our Stories
Every story matters, and when placed in God's hands, it can be redeemed and transformed into a part of His grand narrative. Our stories, with all their imperfections, contribute to the greater story of God's work in the world. By embracing our unique journeys and trusting in God's redemptive power, we allow our lives to be woven into His greater plan. This perspective gives us hope and purpose, knowing that our lives have eternal significance. [10:09]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you offer your story to God for redemption? What steps can you take to trust Him with the imperfections and challenges in your life?

Quotes


God we all start our story with raw material your body your genes your IQ your family of origin a real big part of the story is accepting God this is the raw material that I have been given and I will acknowledge it and I will be grateful for it that's what I want us to practice. [00:00:26]

very often in our life we have a hard time getting on with our stories and writing them together with God because I don't want my Origins I don't want my body I don't know I don't want my temperament I don't know how you feel about yours a friend of mine Mark Nelson he has been on the show with me. [00:01:34]

Augustine he was a prolific writer uh a absolutely brilliant mind his confessions are thought in many ways to have been kind of the first autobiography in the Western World there had never been someone before who examined their life with such unsparing honesty and Augustine was quite open about um where he would look before he was willing to look for God. [00:04:32]

our hearts are restless until they find rest in you ler goes on the Latin word that Augustine uses here is inquam translated by several words that begin dis Disturbed disquieted disoriented so I want to invite you now as you think about your raw material your body your genetic inheritance your parents your family of origin. [00:05:39]

say this is who I am this is part of my story that will always be now we're able to change things and we're called uh to seek to change with God's help that which we're able to change but then to accept deeply that which we cannot change let's sure goes on we're still on page one in the confessions. [00:06:21]

restlessness is an odd place to begin an autobiography the word leaves a vapor trail of indecision false hearts and uneasiness throughout the confessions it plays realistically in our lives too he says most religious autobiographies begin from a much more serious condition with a much more dramatic problem than that some kind of addiction or um blindness. [00:06:42]

restlessness is a universal Human Condition that's part of our story again Hebrews chapter 11 uh that account of the great ones who went before us and their stories they did not receive what was promise see our restlessness is that sense we all have that I was made for some something that as long as I am alive in this broken world. [00:08:35]

so I am invited to allow that restlessness to lead me back to God God could I rest in you could I instead of always looking for some gift from you this desire this answer a prayer could I find my rest in you could I accept for all my inadequacies in all my shortcomings today this is me you have made me not me myself. [00:09:08]

could I even be thankful God you have blessed me right here in this place my story my hurts my wounds thank you God thank you for that can you take a moment to thank God right now that looks like a overweight backer right there behind me thank you God for the creatures in my life everybody has a story everybody's story mattered. [00:09:49]

every story can ultimately be redeemed when it is placed into the great story of the one that we trust hey if you enjoyed that video be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss any future teachings from John orberg here at become new my name is Tim and I'm a part of the team here this series is all about stories. [00:10:20]

everybody has a story and everybody's story matters and we want to know about your story whether it's a story of coming to Faith or a story of spiritual growth whatever it is we're here for you you can email that to us at connect becom new.com or you can text it to us you can also sign up for daily reminders. [00:10:42]

more than a video to watch this is really a community to belong to and we're so glad that you're a part of it we'll catch you next time. [00:11:24]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?