What makes a story truly incredible? What draws us in and keeps us coming back for more? Is it the grand tales of adventure that take us through trials and tribulations? Tales of magic and forces that bend the reality our minds can comprehend? Or maybe its the deep passion that stems from tales of a mysterious romantic love?
Stories bring people together. Whether it’s through the avenue of books, comics, movies, or shared experiences, our stories have a way of bringing two people who have absolutely nothing in common together, and allowing them to bond in such a beautiful way. For me I’m a sucker for a good story. I love to read, watch movies, play video games and everything of the sort. And when I find somebody that enjoys the same things an instant connection is made, and I am invested in what they have to say. So why am I talking about this?
Well . . . we all have a story within us. A Story of our beginnings. A story that contains our greatest triumphs and victories, but also the devastating pain of failure and loss. Our stories contain the adventure of a lifetime (quite literally). And throughout this adventure we meet people that change our lives forever. Maybe its a chance encounter with someone that leads to a lifetime filled with love and joy, and abundant happiness. But sometimes it may be an encounter that leaves our hearts torn open, bleeding out on the ground. But regardless we each have a story that yearns to be told. To be heard.
And guys . . . . Listening to somebody’s story is so powerful. And not just in terms of ministry, but for breaking down barriers and seeing them for who they truly are. And as I have listened to peoples stories these past couple of months my heart has began to break in new ways.
And there are two stories that I want to share with you, both occurring on the same evening. The first week that we were here in Bali we were having some squad fun on the beach. We had spent a couple of hours there and to be honest ministry was the last thing that was on my mind. I was just staring out into the ocean watching the waves come crashing down, thinking about my own problems. But then they decided they wanted all of us to participate in a sand castle building competition. Guys I’m from Kentucky . .. . . . . We don’t have beaches. I’ve never built a sand castle. So I’m letting the other guys on my team focus on this castle . . .. . . Which quickly gets swallowed by the sea.
But as I watched, this man wandered over and began to observe. I was zoned in on this competition though, because . . . . competition. And then suddenly I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to look up and engage this man. I will refer to him as Sam. And as we spoke I just began to ask him questions about his life. Where he was from, what he did for a living, places that we should check out while here in Bali. Turns out he was from Indonesia but was only visiting his son in Bali. But then he quickly turned the tables and wanted to know all about me and my squad. And so when he asked what we were doing in Bali, I told him that all of us were traveling across the world seeking out chances to help and serve people, while showing them love. That almost always opens a door to, why in the world would you do that? In which I replied because I love Jesus, and I’m seeking to become more like him every day.
This immediately changed the dynamic of the conversation as this man came to life. He stared blankly for about two seconds before turning to me and exclaiming, “You love Jesus!? . . . . . I’m a Christian too!” And just like that I was in the door. He instantly started telling me his entire story. He told me how he had grown up in the faith and how he had a deep love for Christ. He began to talk about his own evangelistic efforts, and how the gospel was so important to him that he just felt the overwhelming need to tell others the good news. And this man was letting scripture fly out his mouth left and right. It was honestly so amazing. But I could tell that something was wrong under the surface. While he has such joy talking about Jesus, he also had an immense sadness in his eyes. And so I began to dive a little deeper.
And the first question In asked was how involved his family was in the faith? And I struck a chord. He began to tear up as he told me how his wife had grown up Muslim and had only recently converted (Praise God!!). But that she was shamed by her family and they openly mocked his entire family for believing in Christ. He told me about his desire to see their hearts changed and to see them coming to Jesus. Upon hearing this I just had to pray for this man. And so I laid my hands upon his shoulders and began to pray for him and his family. As I finished I looked up and he was smiling from ear to ear. This random encounter had just changed the course of his entire day and we both had received a blessing from it. Pray for Sam (not his name) and his family guys.
Then shortly after this encounter I left the beach area to join my squad for dinner at a restaurant just minutes away. And after having a very brief High School Musical sing along in which I tripped over a trash can during my big dance number, we all went to enjoy our meal.
I spent this time just reflecting on my previous conversation and how great God is. Even when I wasn’t feeling up to ministry God showed up and brought somebody right to me. And this just once again showed me that it isn’t us, it’s God. No sooner did I have that thought when a young woman stumbled upon our table. I shall call her “Jane” (again not her real name). But Jane stumbled over to a table of 8 of us. She was filled with wine but low on spirits. She had just gotten a tattoo in her intoxicated state and it came out as “New Day. New Setup.” And she wasn’t super thrilled about it.
But as she spoke she tried to carry this exciting energy but all of us saw right through it. We could see the pain in her eyes. And so we invited her to sit down with us. Jane was a tourist as well, from Finland. And while I can’t remember the exact conversation and how we arrived here, she told us that she had came to Bali to take her mind off of things. Her mom had just died. And here she was in Bali, getting wasted trying to push down the pain. Trying to escape something that would only come back stronger after the alcohol wore off.
She was so broken. And she had nobody to talk to. Nobody to hear her story. But in this moment she had us. And we all jumped in and started pouring life into her. And she shared with us how she was also a Christian but she had began to lose faith in God. She was in so much pain and she felt that God was being absolutely silent. And on top of that she had two siblings that were bad sick. She was simply overwhelmed and nobody was there for her. She felt that if God was real that he had abandoned her.
But we began to tell her about his immense love for her. We began to tell her about how he was actually talking to her in this moment through us. This was divine interference in her life. She couldn’t explain why she had wondered over to us. There was just a force that was welcoming and pulling her over to us. That was the Holy Spirit. He was pulling her over to us so that we could pour out his love on her. And then we got a chance to pray for healing over her family. Again, this one encounter changed the entire trajectory of her day. Before she left she even told us that this interaction had given her hope in God again. I don’t know how Jane is currently doing, but I know the Lord is with her. Loving her, comforting her, and guiding her. Even if she doesn’t realize it.
Again God had just sent another soul over to me, to us. It’s all God guys. We just get to do this with him. But the reason I tell you this is because everyone has a story. And that story is the easiest way for us to come to know them. To see them as they are, and when we see them as they are, we can meet them where they are. Ask people about their story. Whether its somebody you just met, or your best friend. Ask them what their story is. But also realize that you have a story. And your story is powerful. Your story is your testimony, and through that we can show people how God has moved in our lives.
So what makes a story incredible? Go back up and read that first paragraph. Is it the grand adventures? Is it magic or unseen forces? Is it a passionate romance? Yes to all three. And the reason is, the story I’m talking about is your story. Your story is unique and it is powerful. But the elements that make that story great is God. I intentionally chose those three things because they speak to different parts about God. God seeks communion with all of us and wants to be with us as we go on this adventure of life. He is wild, untamed, fierce, and so full of life. We could also say that he is full of magic, although he is technically above that. But he has left the Holy Spirit within each of us that are believers. And with that we can access his power, and through prayer we have a direct impact on the spiritual realm. But the greatest thing of all is his deep mysterious love. Before we were born he saw us. He saw the good, but he also saw the evil, the ugly parts of us. And you know what he did? He chose to die for us so that we could experience communion with him. Why? Because of his great love for us. He gave us all, requiring nothing in return. So what makes a story incredible? I would have to say Jesus.
Please ask somebody their story. And share yours. But be vulnerable. And in these moments you’ll hear God speak.
Tonight is our last night in Bali before the squad splits up into our teams for the next few months. Please keep me and my squad in your prayers and if you feel led to donate I would truly appreciate it. God is showing me show much already and I’ve only been gone for a month and a half. He is growing me in so many ways and showing me more and more of his character. I pray that you would consider partnering with me, because in doing so you will be partnering with God in his mission. Many blessings to you all!
Also enjoy these random pics!
