Everyone has a story. What is yours? Have you ever thought about sharing yours with others?
A story was once told of a professor who took a trip to the Caribbean. He said during a worship service in a little church, he noticed a woman that glowed with an angelic face. Later he asked her why she was so happy. She led him down a path through the woods. As they came to a small graveyard, she stopped in front of four graves. She pointed out her husband’s grave and those of her three sons. She explained to him that, a few years earlier, an illness swept through the area, first taking her husband, and then one by one all three of her children. For months she wept in pain and agony, wanting the Lord to take her also.
However, one day, as she was mourning once again at their gravesides, she felt the presence of the Lord. The Lord said to her, that she had to make a choice: she could continue mourning as she had done for many months stretching into years, or she could live for Christ and be His testimony. She told the Lord she wanted to live for Him. She reported as soon as she said that the most incredible peace and joy flooded her life. She confessed that she still missed her family, but now she had a greater purpose, that was, to tell others about the Lord. When the woman finished telling her story, she turned to the professor and said, “That is my story. That is the reason why I am so happy. Now, what is your story?” The professor said that he did not know what to say. Compared to her story, he could not think of anything to say, so he said to her, “I don’t really have a story.” And the woman turned to him and said, “Sir, everyone has a story!”
And that is so true my friends – each and everyone of us has a story, but not everyone of us is willing to tell it. Why do you think that is so? Why do you think people are unwilling to share theirs? Well, some people are of the view that they are very private. Some say that they do not like to be the centre of attention, some people feel that no one will care about listening to their story, or that their story is not interesting, telling their stories would be too stressful or painful, their story would make them feel ashamed, their story is mundane, insignificant, or meaningless – but nothing could be further from the truth. All stories matter.
Stories shape the people we have become. Our stories also help us understand other people and their perspectives.
When we listen to the story of someone else’s life, it is as if we are living his/her story for those brief moments, and his/her experience allows us to learn. So, what about you? What is your story? Are you willing to tell it?
You must never apologise for your story. Somebody maybe enriched by it. Your story can make a difference in someone’s life. Sharing the story that shaped your life does not make you weak. It makes you human. You see, our stories are testimonies of God’s power and presence in our lives. Every time God works in our lives; every time God moves in our circumstances and situations; every time God shows us a new truth and gives us a new understanding – we have another testimony or story to tell. There are a great many lessons that can be learned from our experiences. When a person’s story moves us, we are motivated to take action.
My friends, behind every strong person is a story. Learn to be okay with people who don’t know your side of the story. You do not need to prove anything to anyone. So never be bashful in telling others what God has done in your life. Whenever our stories intersect with God, they become amazing! As we share the story of our life transformation, it is critical that we articulate that God is the source of the change.
The Bible is filled with many people’s stories that have changed numerous lives. Just think of those bible characters who have played a tremendous role in your life by the many lessons you have learnt. Those people had some powerful stories. Powerful faith-building stories. Stories about love, forgiveness, long suffering, sacrifice, courage, patience and endurance, to name a few. Think about those people who met Jesus, no matter where they were or with whom they walked, who shared their life’s stories about how God completely turned their lives around and set them on a revolutionary path. The story of the Apostle Paul’s conversion is one of those amazing and powerful stories. Paul was turned from a violent persecutor of the church to its most passionate missionary. His story reminds us we also have a story. But are we aware of our stories and how God has changed us? If we are still breathing, our personal story is not over as yet.
The story about Mary and Joseph and the miraculous conception of Jesus is another dynamic and mind-blowing one. His parents were not celebrities but rather simple people – but God chose them to be part of His eternal salvation plan. God used them in a remarkable way, and they were willing to be part of His plan.
There are many other bible characters whose life stories we can learn from, such as the story of Solomon, Enoch, Abigail, Naaman, Samson, Delilah, and the Prodigal Son – just to name a few. Some of their stories include more sadness than joy, even regret and deep pain just like ours. Nonetheless, their stories were shared for inspiration for us. Now think about your life’s story and see how you can use it to impact or lead others to Jesus Christ.
Remember: Everyone is a writer because everyone has a story to tell. In the end, we always regret the choices we didn’t make, the love we didn’t accept and the dreams we didn’t fight for.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 3. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
