Just Turn the Page
I recently finished the rough draft of my newest Christian fantasy novel—a milestone worth celebrating, especially considering the brain fog I often battle. As I worked through the manuscript, I became increasingly aware of one particular writing technique that keeps readers engaged: the chapter-ending hook.
You know what I'm talking about. That dramatic moment where the protagonist discovers something shocking, finds himself in peril, or makes a heart-stopping decision... and then—the chapter ends. Just like that!
It's delightfully devious, really. I've deliberately placed my readers in emotional suspense. Sometimes they're worried for a character's safety. Other times, they're frustrated by a character's poor choice. Occasionally, they're heartbroken by an unexpected betrayal. But regardless of the emotion, the effect is the same. They simply must turn the page to discover what happens next.
Jason often laughs at my writing schedule because I tend to end my writing sessions mid-chapter rather than at those dramatic hooks. "If I stop there," I explain, "I'll be up all night thinking about what happens next!" Even as the author, I'm not immune to the power of a well-placed cliffhanger.
This got me thinking about how our lives often unfold in a similar pattern. We frequently find ourselves at the end of difficult "chapters"—those periods where nothing seems to be working out. Perhaps you're facing a health crisis, dealing with a financial setback, or mourning a broken relationship. You feel stuck in that moment of tension, uncertain how things could possibly resolve.
But the Lord reminded me of something beautiful in Isaiah:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
God is the author of our lives, and He specializes in unexpected plot twists that reveal His glory. When we're caught in those painful chapter endings, our task is simple yet profound: just turn the page.
Faith means trusting that God has written the next chapter already. The resolution to your current struggle exists. You simply haven't read that far yet. The Divine Author has crafted your story with loving care, ensuring that every difficult moment serves His ultimate purpose.
Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
So, if you're currently stuck at the end of a challenging chapter in your life, take heart. The story isn't over. The resolution may not look exactly as you imagine. God's plot twists often surprise us, but His endings always surpass our expectations.
Don't close the book in despair. Simply turn the page and discover what wonders await in the next chapter God has written for you.