I went to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. (Galatians 1:18, The Message)
Can you imagine Peter and Paul reuniting in Jerusalem for two weeks, telling stories of God’s work? What a book that could have been!
We all love stories. We seem captivated when we hear, “Once upon a time.”
I love this story of Oswald Chambers from David McCasland’s book, Abandoned to God. Oswald was anxiously preparing for his interview to be accepted into seminary but was stunned by their only question, “How and when were you converted?”
Links Fellowships give us a place to tell our stories. A month ago, this happened as 15 men gathered together at their golf course and answered the question, “What is your life verse, and what is the elevator speech you would give someone in a short period concerning how and when you were converted.”
We love to tell golf stories, so why not tell the story of our conversion from death to life? That story is eternal and significant.
One man said, “I didn’t want to be a Christian because I wanted to live the good life and not be encumbered with rules and guilt. I started coming to this Links Fellowship and realized I was missing something—the good life I had been searching for.” He was baptized in the cold lake near our community in February.
He is now living the good life with fellow strugglers whom he has come to love. His life verse was Genesis 1:1. He said, “If that verse is not true, nothing matters. If true, then everything matters.”
God tells us His story, saying, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NASB). God has used that story to shape not just our individual lives but, perhaps more importantly, our collective lives as His children. The Bible is the most magnificent nonfiction story ever recorded.
“With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots” (Mark 4:33-34, The Message).
Another story involved a man lost; lost in alcohol and extramarital affairs. He said, “God found me at the bottom and set me on this new trail.” He then thanked one of the men in the group that day for just listening and mentoring him during that difficult time. I like hanging around real men who are now alive in Christ.
Can you imagine God telling us, “I know your story, and I will make it a part of My Story?” I was honored to be in the room that day, hearing how God changes lives. I don’t get to do that daily, but I am working on it.
Well, what’s your story?
Closing prayer – Jesus, your story continues. Thank you for allowing us to play a part. For that, we are grateful.