Your Story

“You’ll never know what you can do, what you can achieve, or who you will become if you don’t press into your fear, your fatigue, your fun and your friends. Life is about relationships…”

Thirty-seven years ago I lived in Hawaii. The locals (Polynesian) would invite me to their luaus and they would always say, “Hey, bra, let’s talk story.” They were never in a hurry. Why? Because each person’s story mattered. Jesus spoke to people with stories. Why? Because He knew that story is what captured people’s hearts and minds. It’s what opened up the world of possibilities and opportunities. It is what revealed what truth looked like in a way they could embrace. Ultimately, Jesus said that it is TRUTH that will set us free.

Here’s a recent “story”:

We had met in third grade. We played sports together, did fun stuff together, and graduated together. But somewhere along the way he chose a path that would betray him. Heartbreak and broken relationships were to follow. Forty-four years have passed since graduation and 44 years had passed since our last communication. But this past spring my phone rang and it was him. I knew the voice, but it was not a voice of desperation but of resolve. He asked if I was still following Jesus? He asked for my help and my advice and my encouragement. He had tried it all, but came away wanting. He asked if Jesus was really worth it? I said, “He was worth it.” And so he made a decision to press into finding out how Jesus was worth it and to begin meeting with those who could help him in his pursuit.

Your story and my story matter. Why? Because as image bearers of Jesus there is truth that can be found in our stories. If Jesus is the hero of our stories then there is a place that those we encounter day-to-day will encounter Jesus and His truth which will ultimately set them free to be ALL that God created them to be.

What’s your story? It matters…