DUDLEY HALL -- When our grandson Sam was about three years old, he often climbed into my lap and begged for me to tell him a "scary story."

Now, for Sam a scary story did not necessarily include ghosts, wild animals or fearful situations. He just wanted drama, action, surprises and a good ending. He was easily bored with moral lessons and statistics. Even being young, he was already demonstrating the need that we humans have for stories.

We live our own stories. We listen to the stories of others. Even history itself is a big story.

Our culture has been fighting about stories for years. The "Moderns" told their story in terms of rational order. A fruit of the Renaissance was a heightened appreciation for what could be proven with the scientific method. The test tube became the final arbiter of truth. When needing to verify a truth claim, Moderns like to say, "Science tells us."

But the modernist's story didn't produce the fruit it promised and some people who reacted to it were called, "Post-Modernists." Some of their spokesmen liked to use an interesting phrase to define their story. "The incredulity of the meta-narrative" was often used in philosophical discussions and it sounds pretty impressive. It means that there just might not be a big story. If there is one, who can be trusted to tell it? Who gets to say what is right and wrong?

Maybe there are just lots of individual stories. For instance, if Mary decided to be sexually active before marriage and Lori chose to wait, neither is right or wrong. Each story stands alone. Where the Moderns repeated, "Science says," the Post-moderns declared: "Who says?"

A large portion of today's society is so fascinated with the individual's story; there is no appreciation for a bigger one. We live in one big "selfie." The problem is that we actually are a part of a bigger story, and our souls know it quite well. Even though we take up the whole frame in the picture, we aren't big enough to satisfy the deepest longings of our heart. We are the creations of the Master Storyteller. The need for story is stamped upon our conscience.

God not only thought up the grandest narrative of all but he also brought it to life. It is an adventure mystery with drama beyond human imagination, and the climax is not only surprising, but transforming to those who hear it. The hero is revealed in the most unusual twist imaginable. One clue: He is a Lamb/Lion.

There are alternative stories that use some of the elements of the grand story, but tell of something less. These tend to fixate on humanity's role, with Jesus either being ignored or relegated to a supporting position. Emphasis is placed on personality, talent, vision, strategy and knowledge. If God's Son is included at all, he is seen as an assistant in reaching our destiny. His place as Lord of all creation is not showcased.

Bookstores swell with books that tell us how to get better individually. We can lose weight, improve our attitude, dress in style, get rich, live long and secure our legacy. Pulpits that encourage us to think positively and behave nicely draw crowds who are hoping to find a way to be successful, gain blessings and avoid pain. In all the competing narratives, humans seem to be both the subject and the source.

The grand story actually does include you. But it is not primarily about what you have done good or bad, what you should do, or what you can do if you try harder. In fact one of the great surprises is that you are not the central figure at all. It is about who God is and what he has done. Oh, you do play a role right along with the famous ones in history like Abraham, Abel, Noah, Moses, David, Isaiah and Paul. Your story is part of the big story and it is being recorded for eternity.

It works like this. You hear the story and gain a new perspective of reality. That new perspective allows new choices that cause new actions. You discover what God has done for you, is doing in you, and will accomplish through you. As you live in partnership with God, who is the source of all, you tell the story.

Think! Who is the most genuine Christian you know? Ask to hear his/her story. Watch their eyes light up. Listen. You will hear the big story behind the personal story.

It is time to climb into the lap of the Father and let him tell you the scary story. You will come back time after time. Each time you hear it, you will want to know more. You will inevitably begin to connect your story to it. And strangely -- you will find that you cannot stop telling it. It is just too good to be kept a secret. There are millions who have not yet heard the story that makes all stories make sense. They wait in hope. Everyone likes a "scary" story.