I am a sucker for a good movie. I freely admit that. I have probably seen way too many in my time, a product of having a sad social life. Tonight I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a movie I have seen countless times, and still loved it. Even though I knew how it would turn out.

There’s something about seeing a story well told with dramatic tension and conflict. The best part is always the happy ending where everything ends up neat and tidy. No loose ends.

I’m talking mostly about the classic TCM-type movies made back in the golden age of Hollywood when the studios ruled and movies were mostly shot on a backlot. I like newer movies, too, but for the most part they miss the magic.

I sometimes wish real life were like the movies. I wish all my turmoil and conflict could be wrapped up into a nice, Hollywood ending. The guy gets the girl, they find the missing cat, etc.

But when I read my Bible, I get the best possible happy ending of all time. The story goes like this:

We were dead in our sins, alienated from God and without hope. We were estranged not only from God, but from each other and from ourselves. We were completely and utterly lost in every sense of the word.

But a Hero showed up. This hero didn’t act like a regular Superman-type hero. He willingly bore punishment for a crime He didn’t commit. In the midst of all the injustice, He never opened His mouth to complain or criticize. He took it and even prayed for their forgiveness while they were in the very act of killing Him.

The best part of the story is that He did it for you. He did it for me. Because of what He did, all us nobodies are now beloved children of God. All us that nobody wanted and no one had any use for are now sons and daughters of the King of Kings, with lives that shine as testimonies to the greatness of our God.

This happy ending is one where every single injustice, every wrong, every evil act is made right. This is where those who have given up dreams and lost loved ones and made sacrifices will have everything restored a thousand times over.

Love wins. Jesus reigns and we get to see the ultimate happy ending of all time, one that is so perfect because it is so real.

I hold on to that hope when my own story doesn’t seem to make sense and a happy ending is the furthest thing from my mind. When surviving to see the next chapter is all I can do.

Jesus is not only at the end of your story, but He’s everywhere through it, with you every moment. This Jesus who authored the ultimate ending has promised to not only make sure you get there, but to personally bring you there.

That’s what I call a happy ending!