“Once upon a time.” When we hear these words many of us settle a bit more comfortably into our seats, fix our eyes on the speaker and anticipate a good story. Stories captivate and move us. They educate and warn us. They inspire us to imitation, pity or praise. That’s why one of my favorite questions is “tell me your story.”
The past few weeks working in Fort Myers with Crisis Response have richly blessed me as I’ve asked this question. Maybe you can join me in praising God for the miraculous way he works in a few of these people’s lives. (By the way, I’m not using names, which is awkward, but I want to protect people’s privacy.)
Story One: One of our new staff members came to faith in his mid-forties. He’d reached a low point in a hard life and in desperation called a church which some of his relatives attended, “just to get the service times.” But the pastor answered the phone and invited him to the church. The pastor shared the Gospel, the bridge illustration, and our co-worker immediately responded, running to Christ in faith. He later learned that at the moment he did so the women’s group at his parent’s church (Fort Myers EFC!) was praying for him, and Christians at his workplace had also gathered to pray for him. He told this story to the Men’s Bible study in Fort Myers, and these new and young believers were in awe of what God had done to bring him to faith.
Story Two: The following week we had a volunteer who mentioned that he’d “ruined his body” before becoming a believer. I asked him to tell me his story. By the age of 24 he done every risky thing a young man can do, including serving in Special Forces. He was already “used up.” One day his ex-girlfriend, not a Christian, invited him to a concert at a church. He went reluctantly. As the pastor began to give a message, the volunteer heard a clear voice from the aisle behind him saying “If you don’t go forward now you’ll never have another chance.” He ignored it. Then he heard it again. He went forward in the middle of the pastor’s message. The pastor stopped preaching, called for more music, and took him out of the auditorium. He explained the Gospel and led him to faith. In the forty years since his body has continued to struggle, but his spirit is totally healed, and his love for the Lord shines through.
Story Three: Later, at Bible Study, I asked one of our homeowners who has been a believer for a while to share his story. He was one of the many motivated people who joined Amway, and one of those who also came to genuine faith through that multi-level-marketing organization. But he didn’t come to faith through the “health and wealth” parts of the message. He came through the recognition of Christ’s suffering on the cross for sinners, that is, for him. The compassion of a man who could suffer like that and still say “Father, forgive them,” was a new and revolutionary truth, that broke his pride and led him to repentance and faith.
That same day we went around the circle comparing stories:
- Staff Member 1: Saved as a child in a Christian home
- Homeowner 1: Saved through Amway
- Church Member: Saved as a Child in a Christian home.
- Homeowner 2: Maybe not saved yet, but realizing that faith in Christ is the only way.
- Me: Saved as a young teen through a youth pastor’s ministry.
- Homeowner 3: Saved at age 80 through the Fort Myers response.
You don’t have to have a dramatic testimony for your story to be glorifying to God. In the same way, when you as someone to tell you their story, you get to praise God for his work whether it seems dramatic or not. “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10).
God is at work, writing each of our stories for his glory.
P.S. Gail and I are extremely grateful to all who give, one time or monthly, to support us. As I write this Gail is in Washington D.C. teaching Trauma Care with Katrina Welch. Your support pays for the plane ticket, rental car and hotel for these trips, which are offered freely to interested churches. If you would like to give, go to Bob and Gail DeGray’s Giving Page. Thanks