Jesus was, by nature, a storyteller and invites you into a powerful truth: you are called to tell your story.
Now, I think for a lot of us, our first instinct is to discredit our own story. We say things like “Oh, my story is not that interesting,” or “My life is too much of a mess for my story to help anyone.” Some might say, “I’m too embarrassed to share my story”. Whatever the reason, we try to discount the value of our story. But before you jump to the conclusion that you don’t have a story worth offering, consider these thoughts:
- First, no matter what your life has been, it is part of a bigger story. Do you know Jesus? If you do, then you have a story to tell! Your story is a story of redemption, forgiveness and rescue. And that is relevant to everyone! Your testimony is simply this–Jesus saves! “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11 ESV).
- If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have a testimony that those around you desperately need to hear. I think sometimes the problem is not that we don’t have a story, but that we aren’t ready to share it. But that is our call! “You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT).
- God knew you before you were born. Scripture tells us that before we were born, while we were still in our mother’s womb, He knew us. He knows everything you have ever done, every success, and every mistake. He knew where you would live, where you would work, the friends that you would have. And your story is perfect for where God has placed you. Look around you, at the people God has brought into your life. Maybe the question you need to be asking is, “Who is my story for?” (Here’s a hint: it’s not for you!) God has put you in the perfect place to tell your story, so tell it!
So what’s your story? And, more importantly, who is your story for? God has uniquely chosen you and placed you to tell your story of hope and healing to those around you who are desperately in need of both. So go ahead and tell your story. Because if you don’t, no one will.
Phill Tague is senior pastor at The Ransom Church in Sioux Falls, S.D.
