Let’s say that I’m watching a Hallmark mystery movie with my bride (strictly hypothetical, of course). A number of those mystery movies, or so I’m told, are based on fictional novels written by prominent authors. A good mystery novel used to be called a page-turner (back when books had pages and not bytes on an electronic device). The Cambridge Dictionary defines a “page-turner” as “a book that is so exciting that you want to read it quickly.”

Fast-forward a couple of months and let’s say I’m at a women’s event with my bride (hypothetically, of course) as the designated driver (Lynne doesn’t like driving at night). During the worship time, they introduce the author and singer of the next song. It’s Charity Gayle and the song is “New Name Written Down in Glory.” We’re rocking out, hypothetically, and then she sings this line — “I’ve met the Author of my story.” Brief pause for a reflective moment.

Let me ask you, who (or Who) is the author of your story? Maybe you are like William Ernest Henley, who authored the poem “Invictus” with these famous words: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” If that’s you, please accept my condolences. That might work in a DC or Marvel comic book, but it doesn’t get much traction in the “real world.”

David said this to the Lord: “You have kept count of my tossings [wanderings]; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8, ESV). You see, the Author of my story is King Jesus, and it’s a WHO, not a who (listen up Horton and all you Dr. Suess fans). How do I know this? Because the Word of God reveals it to me. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that King Jesus is “the author and finisher [ESV, ‘perfecter’] of our faith” (KJV). He is authoring my story even as I write this. There is ample confirmation in Scripture. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV). I can try to go my own way, but it would make for an extremely difficult life. You see, we are not our own. “For you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body” (I Corinthians 6:20). Scripture tells us that God had a unique and specific plan for each of us before He ever paid the price of redemption (Ephesians 2:10).

If you’re not completely convinced yet, then check these passages out.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” —Psalm 23:3

The Hebrew word for path here, magal, means a “broad path.” In the following verses, the Hebrew word used is orach, which means “path, customary road” (Young’s Analytical Concordance).


"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.“ —Psalm 16:11


"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.” —Psalm 25:4

“Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.” —Psalm 27:11

Then we have these additional passages:

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way.” —Psalm 37:23

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” —Proverbs 16:9

What kind of story am I going to allow God to write? Will I be a “cooperative witness” (that’s what we’re here for — witnessing), or will I be obstinate? “Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle” (Psalm 32:9). I don’t want my story to be a slow, plodding, and boring one. I want it to be a mystery action novel, with plot twists and turns, with enemies defeated, and with victories won! With God’s power and the Holy Spirit’s direction, I want it to be a page-turner! What say ye, Man of Valor?