Little Lesson 1: Co-Writing

SCRIPTURE:  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

THOUGHT: It’s February! I love this month; partly because it’s my birthday month and partly because it’s the month of celebrating love. Last year I started a February offering called “Little Lessons,” and I’d like to continue it now: sharing part of a lyric each day from the songs I’ve written. It’s been a good year for songwriting in my life, so why not share a little from the stash to remind us of the greatest love we could celebrate?

It’s often said that it’s darkest before the dawn and since it haunts me to think I might give up on something or someone just before the dawn, I am a fairly persistent soul. If it can be true of a human, imagine how much more so it is of God’s love! He goes to incredible lengths to keep his promises and one of those is that he will keep on doing his good work in us until Jesus returns or calls us home.

I don’t know about you, but that is a promise I lean on often, calling it to mind again and again when I hit a wall and want to give up on myself or something I’ve been praying for without seeing a glimmer of hope. And so, in March last year, I wrote this song, envisioning our lives as a story Jesus is telling with our help. We are co-writers in the best sense of the word – only we could never write the part he writes with a flourish of his pen. And why would we want to? To know that you are co-writing with the Creator is an amazing thing!

SONG:

What is the story that Jesus is telling

What chapter and verse are you in?

This tale is not over, it’s still being written

Don’t throw out the paper or lay down the pen

Cause the author and finisher authors and finishes

And you won’t know the end ‘til he’s through

So you work out salvation; he works in redemption

To become the story of you

Part hero, part villain, part loser, part winner

Part saint and part sinner redeemed

Some of it history; some of it mystery

Wrapped in a faith that believes, so

What is the story that Jesus is telling

What chapter and verse are you in?

This tale is not over, it’s still being written

Don’t throw out the paper or lay down the pen

Cause the author and finisher authors and finishes

And you won’t know the end ‘til he’s through

So you work out salvation; he works in redemption

To become the story of you

— Amy Clemens, “The Story of You,” March 8, 2023

PRAYER: Oh God, you have authored me, allowed me to co-author with you, and promised to finish your good work. What a beautiful promise you’ve made each of us who loves you!