If you missed my Evolving Faith talk, 2019 (Tanya Marlow: A Story of Suffering), fear not! Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu host a wonderful podcast for Evolving Faith community, and Episode 5 has the recording and transcript of my talk, together with their comments.
Here’s a little taster of my talk:
We are storied people and look to narratives to find our place in the world.
America has a narrative that if you work hard enough and think positively enough, you’ll be healthy and wealthy and maybe change the world. Britain has a narrative that there’s no point in trying to change the world, because there’s nothing you can do. But a cup of tea will probably make everything better. And both of those narratives are being tested out right now.
But they’re extremely powerful, and we measure our lives by them. And the most dangerous stories are those that are true for a few, but not for all, but told as if they’re the only story. So what happens when your individual story clashes with the big story? And today, I want to share with you three stories that don’t fit the expectations of Christian suffering—my story, our story, and God’s story.
And here is just one of the loveliest comments they make about my work:
I was myself in an accident about five years or so ago and my life was pretty changed by the development of chronic pain and illness, and honestly it was Tanya’s work and life and theology, among a few others, that was a huge help to me. She gave me language for this shift and lament that I needed to experience—yet another season of wilderness in my own life. We return again and again until the wilderness becomes a friend, maybe. But I’m personally very grateful for her work and witness. It has really mattered to me. – Sarah Bessey, 2019
Please do check out their amazing podcast, and listen to or read my story or transcript here: Evolving Faith Podcast Season 2, Episode 5: Tanya Marlow – a Story of Suffering.
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Hello Tanya.
Suffering seems to be a Huge issue for a lot of people throughout the world right now.
A lot of people seem to have their own story or narrative going on in life, I even believe I have a story of my own, could you imagine that?
The book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament is an
interesting book. It may not be a book about Suffering, but it’s definitely a Reality Check on life itself.
I have read Ecclesiastes in the past, but never really understood what Solomon was trying to get over, until I read this online article on ecclesiastes which explained it a little better.
Quote.
“Chapter one of Ecclesiastes, Solomon Declares that life on earth is vanity. Earthly pursuits are largely meaningless. Men are born and Men die in the endless cycle of the earth’s spinning. History is forgotten and repeated generation after generation”
When I read that, It made me appreciate that all the sufferings and achievements of mankind down the centuries are all basically meaningless and vanity.
It’s No about Me, it’s Not about Us, it’s Not about my narrative. Again and Again and Again, it’s all about God.
Ultimately, most of us are going to face another challenging situation as mentioned in Ecclesiastes twelve. But no matter what we’re facing in life, to do all things for the Glory of God. As that chapter concludes, “the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments”
Hi Anthony,
This is a very late reply to your comment on my website. I’m really glad that you found some solace and meaning from the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s an acquired taste, I think, and many Christians just skip it. It’s really good to keep our own stories in the perspective of the history of the planet and the length of eternity, yet at the same time holding concern for the individual, just as God has compassion on the one sheep that goes astray. Best wishes to you.