Stories

The Bible is filled with stories, connecting us into lives of commonfolk like ourselves, intersecting with God's activity in their midst. While it is ultimately God's story and His work throughout history, He invites us in, to find ourselves in the pages and identify ourselves with Him and His truth. We learn who we are and what our purpose is in the pages of Scripture.

When Word became flesh, and Jesus walked the earth, He too entered into real lives and real stories. Men, women, children, rich, poor, sick, fallen or lost. He was relational, hearing and touching hearts of many in great need. Jesus often taught in parables because people can relate to and identify with stories.

Stories are a place of connection with another heart. They give opportunity for laughter, tears, lessons, and relationship. Stories invite others in to our lives, open ourselves up to be known, and bear witness to what God is doing in and through us.

I was greatly moved by the story of a baby boy I've been reading about on a blog. He was born with a chromosome disorder that they knew would cut his life short. He was born into a family of faith, who shared his story and gave God glory for every day he lived. Every day was a celebration of birth days. He lived to be 99 days old. In those days, his story was told and shared world-wide. He and his family were lifted up in prayer by a handful of states across the country, and nations around the globe. I cried at his death and how his parents must have felt, but so touched by the connections made by people who didn't even know this family. A baby who lived to be three months old had a story to tell, and his parents are sharing it. God is being glorified in their pain and loss, celebration and joy. It is amazing to hear them share of the gift that will be held forever in their hearts.

Acts 22:15 calls us His witnesses. "You are to take His message everywhere, telling the whole world what you have seen and heard."

What opportunity we have to share our stories with each other! It is an avenue that can draw people to God as we bear witness to His activity in our life. "Whether or not anyone would trade testimonies with me, I have my own story with Christ. I have my own song. My personal testimony is the way I can illustrate the relevance of Scripture and the power of an invisible God in today's world." (From Beth Moore, To Live is Christ) She writes that Paul "asked nothing but a chance to share his testimony. He desired to overcome their hardened hearts by the word of his testimony (see Rev. 12:11)."

No one call tell our story like we can. From our own life, our own circumstance. To share the places where God has opened us up raw, and brought new life and healing. To share a testimony of a life changed, touched, transformed by His hand.

"For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 What is God teaching you? What is He stirring in your heart lately? We welcome relationship, connection, and community when we open up to share it. "Speak -- say the words that no one else will ever say. Love -- love like the world we know is over in a day." (Jars of Clay)

Scripture tells us that if we keep silent, the rocks would cry out. There is a story to be told, a voice to be heard. It's your story, your voice, your heart intertwined with His. Bringing Him praise and glory as your story is shared. Hearts strengthened and encouraged, increasing in faith because of His hand in the details of our life. Let Acts 4:20 be said of us. "We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard."