Few things have more transformative power than people and stories.
Stories disarm us. They make us laugh and cry.
Stories have power. They change the way we think.
Stories connect us.
Information and facts have a way of going over our heads. They tend to be quickly forgotten.
Jesus knew this. I think this is why Jesus told so many stories— stories about ordinary first-century Mediterranean life, stories of soils and weeds, stories of workers and vineyards, stories of lost sheep, lost coins, and lost sons.
You can remember a story as long as you live.
Stories bypass our minds and go straight to our hearts. This is what books and movies do, and what music and art does. Jesus knew the way the human heart would best hear and see. So he came, telling people stories to reveal to them the Kingdom of God in a way they would understand and remember.
We all have struggles, and others may share the same story. When you share your story, you bring it out of the darkness and into the light. Satan would love for us to keep our stories in the darkness, to keep them to ourselves. He wants us to hide in shame rather than embrace truth. He knows there is so much power in sharing stories and sharing truth.
Last weekend, we had a Beauty for Ashes retreat at a church in North Africa. Beauty for Ashes is the women’s ministry within Adventures in Missions, centered around creating a safe space for women to share their stories with one another.
“He will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”
Isaiah 61:3
It was such a blessed and beautiful time together— a time of fellowship and community, empowerment and vulnerability, and cultivating a space for women to share, learn, and experience the Father’s heart in a new way!
Here are a handful of stories from last weekend:
Our first activity was titled “View of God.” Each participant was instructed to draw or write out the way that she views God in her current season of life.
One woman who we had seen give so much herself and be such a blessing to others, drew a picture of the Lord showering her with gifts. She described how He is constantly pouring out His love and provision on us even though we don’t deserve any of it. At one point, the whole table was weeping tears of joy over how much the Lord has done, and how much He continues to do. God shared with them beautiful revelations of their worthiness and acceptance.
The purpose of the ”What’s My Worth“ drawing activity is for the Holy Spirit to speak truth regarding each participant’s value and worth to Him. For this activity, one woman drew herself inside a castle, in a high tower. The Lord revealed to her that she is worth defending and protecting; God is her Defender, and she is His Princess. She got quite emotional at this realization. She was in a season of feeling a lack of God’s presence— when she would pray to God, she felt like He didn’t hear her. But that day, she heard His voice and felt fully embraced by His love.
Next, the participants were asked to create and decorate a crown however they wanted, after asking the Lord to give them a new name. As the crowns were passed out, this young woman’s whole face lit up. “God sees me! I am God’s Princess and this is my crown. I am safe and He is holding me.” She wrote “Princess“ on her crown and covered it in glitter, smiling the entire time.
One Muslim woman attended the retreat. She was sitting next to an older Christian woman, who started weeping as she voiced the lies that Satan has been speaking over her. I watched as the Muslim woman comforted and gently spoke to the Christian woman, and I grinned so wide. A Muslim was speaking truth and love over a Christian— she was unwittingly sharing the gospel. I had chills.
After this table of women declared their identity in Christ, I felt compelled to pray over them. I had been so touched and excited by what I had seen, and the words just flowed out of me. And though she isn’t a follower of Jesus, this Muslim woman engaged in the activities of the day, and she was moved. She was touched by our worship— by the deep emotion in our voices as we sang, and by the raising of our hands as we surrendered to God.
Childcare was provided for the duration of the retreat, and the children had their own special activities. Most of the children in attendance came from Christian homes, but the Muslim woman brought her two daughters, ages 4 and 9.
The children spoke mostly French or Arabic, with very limited English. However, the 9-year-old Muslim girl understood a decent amount of English, and she translated the stories, lessons, and songs into French and Arabic for the other children to understand. This little girl had never heard these things about Jesus before, but the Lord was using her as a conduit to share the gospel to the other children.
There was also a 12-year-old Muslim girl there. She speaks only Arabic, and she lives across the street from the church. We learned that whenever the gates to the church are open, she comes inside. She chooses to be at the church, spending time with followers of Jesus.
A French translation of “Jesus Loves Me” was played at least 20 times over the course of the weekend, and even this Muslim girl sang along. She joined the kids’ activities both days, sang songs about Jesus, and made a crown to represent her worth. I think God has such big plans for her to bring others into His Kingdom.
At the retreat, I witnessed women laying hands on one another, as bold prayers for healing were spoken. I witnessed women sharing in one another’s heartbreak and weeping together. I witnessed the Lord breaking the chains of lies that had been spoken over these women for years. I witnessed women forgiving those who had hurt them in the past, and casting their burdens at the feet of Jesus. I witnessed women bubbling with joy as they basked in the Father’s presence. I witnessed women celebrating as they confidently declared that Jesus loves them just as they are, that they are enough just as they are, and that they are chosen and set apart.
It was beautiful. It was messy. It was glorious.
It was Kingdom come.
“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.”
Psalm 107:2
Christians, share about what God has done for you!
Your story matters.
Check out this video by Alysa Sharp, one of our incredible squad leaders!
