Cast down but not destroyed

Your story has the ability to bring people together.

Before the believing Jews would ever accept the Gentiles as equals in faith, they would need to have a change of heart on the heated doctrinal issue. So, how did the Jewish believers respond? Swiftly…When they heard these things they became silent, and they glorified God saying, The God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance of life. [Acts11:18].

Twenty minutes of a story did more to win their hearts than a three-week debate would have. God will give you a story to tell that can soften the agnostic skeptics and win them to the love of God.

Stories have the power to convince people in ways that straightforward teaching cannot. We see this in the life of Paul.

Paul formerly known as Saul made his way to Damascus to arrest those who believed in Christ and haul them back to Jerusalem. It was a normal day, but as he approached the city it was as if Jesus said, Saul get ready I’m about to give you a good story.”

Paul’s Damascus Road encounter had everything needed for the making of a great story. He was knocked to the ground, he beheld the face of God, and had an audible conversation with Jesus Himself.

As if that wasn’t enough it left him blind for three days and suddenly, his vison was restored, he is filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized in water and commissioned as an apostle to go to the Gentiles.

Remember he was a persecutor of Christians, he was everything bad. But God gave him a story to tell. Can you imagine how many people got saved and filled with the Holy Spirit after hearing his story. Over and Over I am sure he told the same story. Why? There is power in a good story. People identity with the grace of God through our stories.

If God did it for Paul, he will surely do it for you and I because we haven’t done half the things Paul did. Consider everything you have been through and how interesting it makes for a great story.

 

I would have never dreamed in a thousand years I would have every had to go through some of the things I have had to go through. But who am I? Who am I that I should not have to go through certain things? Jesus Himself had to go through horrific things while walking upon the earth and He did absolutely nothing to deserve it. We however sometimes contribute to some of the shortcomings, failures, and mistakes we go through. But the bright side is this, God will use it to write your story, He certain has for me. 

 

You maybe thing you are a pastor how can you begin to understand? My response would be I am also human, imperfect, and made my share of mistakes. I am the child of a divorce, I grew up spending my time between two parents. At a tender moment in my life, my dad was sent to fight in the Gulf war. I know what loneliness, isolation, insecurity all feel like. I have been through a divorce myself, but happily married to the love of my life now for 9 years. I have contented with thoughts of suicide during a difficult season in my life some 16 years ago, but I am also an overcomer through the blood of the Lamb and the words of my testimony.

 

Those are only a few of the things I have been challenged with in my life. One might wonder why would you share those details of your life? Aren't you afraid of it casting a bad light on you and your ministry? No, transparency has been my friend. Those are just facts, those moments are just headers for every chapter of the book of my life. It is part of my story, part of who I am, and what allows me access into others lives to bring hope, healing, and restoration.

Like Paul, my story and your story allows those who could not identify with the gospel message an opportunity to identify with it through a person they could see as being them self.

God is still writing stories in our lives and through them He is making a way for those who could not otherwise find their way.

So, what are you doing with your story?