The Power of Our Stories

And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:36,37 (New American Standard Bible)

I love the “she who was _______ is now _______” stories in the Bible! There were so many of them you know. Here are a few: He who was blind now sees. He who was lame now walks. He was deaf now hears. He who was mute now speaks. He who had leprosy is now clean. He who was demon possessed is now free. He who was lost is now found. He who was dead now lives. After a list like that we can truly proclaim with joy, “NOTHING is impossible with God!!!!

The stories of God’s redemptive touch are meant to re-ignite our faith. When I know someone has walked the road I presently travel and I see how God worked in their situation, my view of God is enlarged and my confidence in His ability to work in my situation is increased. That is one reason it is so necessary for us to share our stories! There is power in our stories that can impact lives far more than we ever thought possible.

There is a woman I know whose story continually encourages me in my walk with God. She doesn’t even resemble the person she use to be. What attracted me most to her story was that so much of what she use to be was what I was at the moment. It was like looking in a mirror. I could relate with everything she said about being empty, legalistic, needy, and frustrated. Her former view of God was a mirror of mine. To her, He use to seem harsh, unloving, tolerant, distant, and uninvolved. She too thought she had to somehow earn God’s love for her and acceptance of her. But her story did not end there. Now she is a woman who revels in God’s love, dances in her freedom, and lives her life passionately connected to His heart. So when I look at where I am in my Christian life and where I want to be, she becomes my personal reminder that this too is possible with God.

I want to encourage two different groups today. Some of you have stories that other people need to hear. You will be the one God uses to give them hope in their “hopeless” situation. They will see themselves in you and regain a belief that God can rewrite their story. Others of you need to hear some stories. Ask God to intersect you with just the right person.

Father, may we learn the value of sharing each other’s stories. They possess power far beyond our wildest imaginations. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.