His Story

A good story can really put wind in our sails! Story is a vital part of human existence as it helps us to communicate the human experience and connect with others on a soul level. My grandfather was such a great storyteller and could turn everyday experiences into the tallest tales! I had a flood of stories fill my mind after I discovered an old photo of him this week. This picture was of us together at an Alabama football game and they must have won because he was smiling! He loved Alabama football and loved telling stories about teams of the past. 

Story is a powerful tool of the mind. It’s so powerful that God utilizes story to convey who He is. God could have limited His revelation to a list of rules, and yet He gives us His story. The gospel means good news. It’s God’s story of what He’s done to establish relationship with humanity, and we get the privilege of sharing His story. One of the ways to experience God is by sharing His story. How has the gospel changed my life, and how is it changing my life? We’ve all got a story to share! 

In the middle part of the Book of Acts, we get the story of Paul’s first missionary journey. For the very first time, the gospel was going out to people who had never heard. Most of the world was what we call today a UUPG (unengaged, unreached people group). But as the story went forth, people responded! Story has a way of connecting with people, and that’s especially true with God’s story. That He would love us enough to do the unthinkable. He experienced death and resurrection so we could experience life! 

When Paul and Barnabas return to their home base, we know what they did first.

After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27

Did you catch it? They had a story to share! They reported everything God had done. I can just imagine what it must have been like to hear one of the first reports EVER of people coming to faith in Jesus. It was quite the God story that I’m sure took a long time for Paul to unpack. It must have been like the stories we get to experience today of believers coming to know Jesus in places like India, Pakistan, Chad, Kenya, Vietnam, Mexico, and here in the States! 

How exciting it is to hear and share the story as we experience God. The gospel doesn’t change, but the story continues to be written as hearts are transformed. 

Sharing the story is easier than we may think. A conversation with a friend or neighbor can be an opportunity, as we’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit. In a world that is searching for hope, we simply point the way to Jesus. He takes care of the heavy lifting.

I am so thankful that God has invited us into His story, and we get the privilege of passing it on.