The disciples came up and asked, “Why do you tell stories?” Matthew 13:10-13 (MSG)
He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.
Story is such a fascinating word. Don’t you remember how exciting it was when your mom or dad said, “hey, let’s go read a story”? It was definitely my favorite time of day. Then I grew up to be a storyteller. People are always asking me where I come up with my stories.
The answer is easy. This creativity is all from God.
Story is in and around all of us. Every moment of the day.
As a pastor’s kid, pastor’s wife, and Bible study leader, I don’t use the Message translation very often. My favorites for accuracy to the original languages are the NASB and the ESV. But as I looked up this fascinating passage, I read about thirty different translations and realized how incredible the Message is at putting this into modern-day language and understanding.
The Master Storyteller
Jesus spoke in parables—stories—so people who had ears to listen could be made ready. For the truth.
There were a lot of people who didn’t fall into this category. They probably often stood around scratching their heads, wondering what this guy from Nazareth was trying to say.
But for those who were looking for the Truth? They found it.
Story is powerful. And my personal belief is that it is all His story.
My two-fold purpose statement for my writing ministry is simple:
- To point the non-believer to God
- To challenge the believer in his/her walk with Christ
No matter what I write, I hope to accomplish those two things.
But even if you’re not a “storyteller” like me, that doesn’t mean that He hasn’t given you a story to tell.
You are uniquely and wonderfully made. All of the challenges you’ve faced, the struggles you’ve endured, the trials you’ve gone through? They’re all part of His story. And He longs for you to share them with others.
Is there someone in your life that needs encouragement right now? Someone t helped by your story?
I know there is. A member of your family. An acquaintance from church. A friend from the neighborhood you walk with in the mornings. Perhaps it’s even someone online via social media.
All of us are called to share His story. Sometimes it’s through simply talking about Him and how He loves us unconditionally. Other times, it’s through sharing how He’s worked in our lives.
Your turn
My challenge to you today is to boldly share your story with someone new in the coming month. I’ll be praying for you.
For His story to be spread.
Until next time,
Kimberley
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. A lover of history, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and golf. Passionate about in-depth Bible study, she has been a Precept Leader for many years. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in the Poconos where she wears the hat of the “coolest grandma.”
To find out more about Kim’s books, follow her on social media, and sign up for her newsletter/blog, visit her website.
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