Every time I walk into a library or a bookshop, I am mesmerized by the sheer number of books on the shelves. It’s not just the design or the book covers—though I am naturally drawn to them—but also the realization that each book holds a different story, a unique perspective, and an abundance of knowledge waiting to be consumed. Perhaps this fascination stems from my curiosity and insatiable hunger for learning.
Even when books share the same title, their approach to storytelling is never identical. The authors are different, their experiences unique, and their perspectives shaped by distinct journeys. This is how I see people as well. Each person we meet is like a book—some we engage with deeply, some we skim through briefly, and others we merely see on the shelves of life without ever opening their pages.
I have come to see the world as one vast, living library, filled with people whose lives tell different stories. Whether we are aware of it or not, our choices, journeys, and experiences are constantly writing the book of our lives. Sometimes we hold the pen; other times, external forces influence our narrative. But regardless of these influences, we remain the main character of our own story.
This awareness empowers me to take responsibility for the book I am writing with my life. I am conscious of the fact that, like books, we have the potential to leave a lasting impact even after we are gone. The people we meet, the lives we touch, and the experiences we share become pages in someone else’s story.
The Power of Influence
Years ago, when I read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, one truth rooted itself deeply within me: I was born for a purpose. And if I want to understand that purpose, I must turn to my Maker. Just as a manufacturer designs a product with a specific function in mind, God created me with intention. So, when I find myself lost, uncertain, or in need of direction, I turn to Him. The Bible, my instruction manual, continues to guide me, just as that book did when I first read it nearly two decades ago.
I’m currently reading Vital Friends by Tom Rath. The book emphasizes how our happiness and fulfillment in life are deeply tied to the friends we surround ourselves with. It reinforces a truth I’ve long known: our relationships shape our lives. The same way certain books leave a lasting impact on us, some people transform our existence so profoundly that we struggle to remember life before we met them. Their influence writes new chapters in our lives—sometimes without them even realizing it.
The Stories We Tell and the Stories Others Read
Just as books and people shape our stories, we must also recognize that perspectives differ. My younger sister recently shared a childhood memory, recounting a story we both lived. When I listened to her interpretation of something I had said at the time, I was stunned—it wasn’t what I meant at all! It made me realize that even as we actively write our own stories, others may interpret and retell them differently. This is the complexity of life.
Studying sociology during my undergraduate years deepened my understanding of human behavior. People are complex. Life is complex. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to understanding individuals. Just because A sounds like B doesn’t mean A is B. Just because C and D seem to move in the same direction doesn’t mean they are connected. Human perception shapes reality, and our stories will always be interpreted through different lenses.
Writing a Story Worth Reading
Despite the unpredictability of life and our inability to control people’s perspectives, we have a responsibility to be intentional about the stories we write. The same way some books in a library are actively in use while others collect dust, we must ask ourselves: How am I writing the story of my life? Am I actively writing this book of leaving it to collect dust on the shelf.
Will our lives be remembered as tales of courage, strength, and faith? Or will they be stories of fear, bitterness, and regret? Generations to come will read the books of our lives, just as we read about Jesus, the apostles, and historical figures whose stories continue to inspire and equip us today.
The question is, what will our legacy be? What key lessons will the next generation draw from the books we write with our lives? Will our stories uplift, encourage, and transform, or will they be forgotten on the shelf?
As we write the book of our lives, let us be mindful of the impact our stories will have. Let’s create a narrative worth passing on—a story of purpose, resilience, and love that will inspire those who come after us.
