To begin, I didn’t come up with this on my own. I read blogs often and one more frequently (because he makes me think and create). He wrote about how work (initiatives, reactions, output, decisions, etc) tells a story.

This diagram made me think about the Holy Spirit’s Work. If your not familiar with the phrase “Work of the Holy Spirit,” it is the Spirit of God showing us what Christ has done and how that makes a difference in what’s going on around us. The Spirit (HS) gives the gifts which make the Body (Christians meeting together) work effectively and powerfully. The Spirit moves people to compassion for others. The Spirit pours faith into us. But where this diagram hit home is how the HS works in us to make clear God’s purpose for us. The Work of the HS is what people talk about, because it’s what we experience. In other words, the Work tells a story.

We all have a story, journey, or personal narrative. But what if you haven’t figured out the story (of purpose) your in yet?

Then the Work of the HS feels random. Then the story is confused or ordinary or indifferent and Christ’s story doesn’t spread.

But what if you could identify what the story is, match the story with the work. You see and make decisions that lineup with the story. The story will become yours because you’re living it. Scripture becomes more profound, circumstances hold more meaning, people influence judgment, and confidence is birthed in prayer.

Does Billy Graham tell a different story from Rob Bell? Of course they do. But look how the Spirit worked in their stories…from the calling they received to the decisions they make about type of ministry and locations. They each have a purpose proceed by a story revealed by the work of the spirit which is the story.

Same is true for that little church down the street verses Fellowship Church. While the stories may end up being similar, each church lives a story in who they hire, how they present themselves, etc.

I believe we each have a story, a life design. We don’t know all the players names but we know their role. Look how the HS lead the story of the first seven deacons (Acts 6), or the church in Antioch in sending Paul & Barnabas out on their mission (Acts 13).

The Story is the Work, the Work is the Story.