There’s something special about a good mystery. I don’t care if it comes to me in a radio drama, a book, a made-for-TV movie, or something else entirely, a mystery is a mystery is a mystery and I can’t get enough.
I’ve noticed when I ingest a lot of mystery-type storytelling I get better at solving the caper. This is because all mysteries follow the same general outline.
- Plot (believable and fast-paced)
- Crime (every mystery needs a crime to solve)
- Culprit (classic whodunit. We know there is a culprit but he remains shrouded in mystery for the bulk of the story)
- Detective (a likeable and cautious hero…we side with him immediately)
- Setting (a familiar place with a haunting twist like a secret passageway or an invisible message coming to light)
- Solution (the best part of a good mystery is a great resolution! It happens at the end of story and is usually the result of the detective getting to the bottom of the plot)
“Ephesians gives me the clue to how to live with the mystery of God’s will…”
I can’t imagine anything worse than a cliffhanger. In fact, if I see a “Part One” on one of the shows I follow I tape it and wait until Part Two appears before watching.
Something I’m still coming to terms with is how to deal with the cliffhangers I face in real life. When something happens outside of my control (which is most of the time if I’m honest) I want to find reasons why. I want a neat and tidy explanation for each and every situation I find myself in.
But what about when there isn’t an explanation? What if the questions outweigh the answers?
It’s difficult to accept things I don’t understand. Most difficult of all, God’s will. In a mystery story, God could be seen as the ultimate culprit—his motives and ways are shrouded in secrecy. In that case I’m the detective, bumbling along searching for clues and hoping to discover the solution before time runs out.
My best clue to reveal God’s will is the Bible. And while there aren’t many specifics for how His plan will come to pass there are certainties I can put my hope in.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the richness of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:7-10 NIV)
Ephesians gives me the clue to how to live with the mystery of God’s will and the hope the solution will one day come. In the meantime I need to be OK with the fact this story is much bigger than a mere mystery, or something I can completely comprehend.
I have a hunch when the conclusion to this story takes place it will be according to God’s will, which he will bring to pass in His perfect timing.
And it will be awesome.
