“What is your story?”
“Will you share your testimony?”
“So, how did you get to where you are now?”
Since being on the race, these have become commonly-asked questions in my life. But before the race, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been asked anything like these questions.
Why?
I think there are many reasons, but I believe some of the main ones to be
1. It seems too personal.
2. It takes too much time to truly hear the answer(s).
3. We don’t want to intrude or be too nosy.
But I think the ultimate reason is that satan has successfully convinced the Church that we don’t need to know. The main issue with this is that we need to share our stories. Yes, we need to share about the good things and the hard things we’re currently going through, but there’s great power in telling your life story out loud to people who are truly listening.
Life Story: an account of real people and events
It’s an opportunity to see for yourself how God has blessed you throughout your life. It also allows you to recall (in chronological order) your life’s major events, which will show you how He’s written your story in a uniquely perfect way, connecting chapters of life, one leading into the next. Also, context is helpful and people can then have the opportunity to learn through your experience instead of having to live through it themselves.
But the most important thing is that it requires a safe place, an environment free of condemnation and filled with true interst and desire for deeper connection. And we’ve allowed satan to lull us into the belief that this isn’t necessary and that we don’t have time for it!
Let me encourage you, make time for it. Be that environment and ask these questions, truly listening to the answers. If we don’t start doing this, then we will NEVER be a unified body. This is where it starts.
Tell your story.
Invite others to tell theirs.
Walk through the forgiveness and celebrations and heartache together.
THIS is the Church.
