I was coming back from the beach a few days ago, minding my business, when I pulled up to a red light. Nothing special about the moment.
Until I looked up.
Right in front of me was a Winnebago, and on the back of it was a simple bumper sticker that read: “Live a Great Story.”
That’s it.
No long message. Just five words.
But those five words stayed with me long after the light turned green.
Because as I sat there, something in my spirit stirred. Not in a loud, dramatic way, but in that quiet, familiar way God often speaks when He wants you to pay attention.
And almost immediately, my thoughts turned to calling.
Because here’s what I know to be true: If you know your calling, and you actually live it, you will live a great story. A meaningful, God-authored story.
The Story God Is Writing Through You
One of the biggest misconceptions I see with Christian women is this: they think a “great story” means a comfortable life. But when you look at Scripture, that idea falls apart pretty quickly.
Think about Joseph.
His story included betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and prison.
Not exactly the kind of storyline most of us would sign up for.
But, in Genesis 50:20, Joseph says: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
That’s a great story. Not because it was easy, but because it was purposeful.
Or consider Esther.
She went from obscurity to influence, but her defining moment required courage, risk, and the possibility of losing her life.
Esther 4:14 reminds us: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
That’s a great story. Not because it was predictable, but because it was God-ordained.
And then there’s Moses.
A man who felt unqualified, reluctant, and unsure, but was still chosen by God to lead an entire nation out of bondage. That’s a great story, too.
Not because he felt ready, but because he was willing.
Calling Is What Makes the Story Great
Here’s what I want you to hear clearly: A great story isn’t defined by how impressive it looks from the outside. It’s defined by how aligned it is with God on the inside.
Your calling is what gives your life direction, meaning, and weight.
And when you ignore your calling, life can start to feel flat.
Busy, but not fulfilled. Active, but not aligned.
But when you begin to walk in your calling, even imperfectly, something shifts.
You start to feel:
- More intentional about your decisions
- More aware of how God is using your experiences
- More grounded in who you are and why you’re here
Because your calling connects your life to something bigger than you.
It ties your everyday choices to eternal impact.
You Don’t Need the Whole Script
Now, let me say something that might set you free today: You don’t need to know your entire story to start living it.
Too many women are waiting for full clarity before they move. They want the outline, the timeline, and the guarantee.
But that’s not how God works.
Proverbs 16:9 says: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Steps. Not the whole staircase.
When Abraham was called in Genesis 12, God told him to go, without telling him exactly where.
When Peter stepped out of the boat in Matthew 14, he didn’t get a five-step safety plan. He got a word: “Come.” That’s it.
And sometimes, that’s all you’re going to get, too.
Because calling requires faith, and faith requires movement.
Your Pits and Your Peaks Both Matter
One of the things that bumper sticker reminded me of is this: A great story has both pits and peaks.
We love the peaks. The wins. The breakthroughs. The answered prayers.
But the pits? Those seasons we’d rather skip. The disappointment. The delay. The moments where nothing seems to be happening.
But hear me: God uses all of it.
Romans 8:28 tells us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
All things. Not just the good parts. Not just the parts that make sense. But all of it.
Your past experiences, both painful and powerful, are shaping the story God is writing through you.
They’re developing your compassion and strengthening your faith. Clarifying your voice. Preparing you for the people you’re called to serve.
What Does It Look Like to “Live a Great Story”?
It doesn’t look like perfection.
It looks like obedience. It looks like saying “yes” when God nudges you, even when it’s uncomfortable. It looks like trusting Him when you don’t have all the answers. It looks like showing up, again and again, in the direction He’s leading you.
Here’s what living a great story can look like in real life:
- Starting the thing God placed on your heart, even if it’s small
- Speaking up when you’d rather stay quiet
- Letting go of what no longer aligns with your season
- Trusting God’s timing instead of forcing your own
- Using your gifts to serve others, not just yourself
Because at the end of the day, a great story isn’t about you being the hero.
It’s about God being the Author.
A Simple Question to Sit With
As I finally drove off from that red light, I couldn’t shake those words: Live a Great Story.
And I want to leave you with the same question I asked myself: Am I living the story God is inviting me into, or am I sitting on the sidelines waiting for more clarity?
Because the truth is, your story is already in motion. The only question is whether you’re fully participating in it.
That day, I didn’t expect a bumper sticker to minister to me. But God will use whatever He needs to get your attention. Even five simple words on the back of a Winnebago.
Live a great story.
And more importantly, live the one God is calling you to.
