“Cat’s Meow” shelf-sitter, “Music Shop”

This Cat’s Meow shelf-sitter, a gift from my very musical friend Kathy, stands on my desk, a testimony to God bringing together the plot and the theme of my life.

The Plot: the different chapters, the events, the story-line.
The Theme: the message communicated throughout the story-line.

“He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:3

For many years this is one of the scriptures that has caught my attention. It is recorded in my purpose section of my journal. Each time I review it, it reminds me that God wrote, and is continuing to write, a song in my heart and that He’s going to use it to attract others to Himself.

Really? My song? Now that is a miracle!

I am NOT musical! I laugh even thinking that a scripture that speaks of a song, of music would capture my attention. Yes, God has a sense of humor.

But God indeed has personally encouraged me with the promise of Psalm 40:3.

When I think through the plot of my life, I see the theme of Psalm 40:3.

From the stumbling, bumbling early days of my toddler faith, to the insecure days of my teen-age faith, to the loooooong quarter century of comparison in ministry, to who I am becoming now, the theme is consistent.

God did do something in my heart. He gave me a new song, a song based on His character, not the plot lines of my life. He is developing His theme. Others are hearing the theme, the new song, and are attracted and invited.

The more clearly I see this theme in my various plot lines, the more humbled I am. Only in Jesus do our plot lines and our theme coalesce.

The plot is reality.
The plot has purpose.
The plot bows to the theme.

In the short 4 chapter Ruth narrative, Naomi didn’t begin to understand the theme of her story until the end of the second chapter. In her mind, the plot line was pretty negative: a heathen culture, being widowed, both her grown sons dying, Ruth’s insistence of returning with her to Bethlehem. Naomi re-named herself Mara “for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” Ruth 1:20. Although she acknowledged God, she didn’t see His theme at work.

“Blessed is the man who took notice of you.” Ruth 2:19. Now Naomi is beginning to get a glimpse of God’s theme in her life. As her story unfolds, God’s theme is revealed, to her and to us. She experiences the theme song God is writing through her story.

Recognizing the theme, is recognizing God’s love in action. It provides hope and confidence for the future. The plot will continue to unfold. Sometimes it will be a joyful plot; other times it might be a difficult plot. But the theme, the promises of God will remain constant.

Only in Jesus do our plot lines and our theme coalesce!

What is the theme God is writing in your life?

1) “I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2) He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3) He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:1-3 (italics mine)

me and Kathy
a few years ago

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2025