Story (noun): an account of incidents or events
My heart recently grew threw sizes in one weekend. OK, I can’t actually measure how much it grew, but I’m picturing the Grinch in the famous “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” story, the part where his heart grew in size as he listened to the villagers of Whoville joyfully singing after he had taken all their material possessions.
It’s not the Grinch story that enlarged my heart – but it was the power of story-telling itself. I attended a Christian women’s retreat with a theme of “sharing our stories” and was blessed beyond measure by courageous women standing before us, sharing personal details about desperate and vulnerable moments from their lives. These stories left an indelible mark on my heart that I will cherish always.
They were stories of truth about answered prayers, the healing touch of God, and of experiencing a peace that surpasses understanding. They were uniquely special yet shared these underlying messages: God is good. God is faithful. God hears us. God is in the ordinary days, in the impossible events, and in the new beginnings.
Before attending this retreat, I spent time studying the story of the Samaritan woman Jesus interacts with at the well in the Gospel of John, Chapter 4. Bible study guides provided me with additional context for this story:
- Jesus was a Jew, and Jews did not associate with Samaritans. They were a “mixed race” who idolized other gods. Also, women in general were not much respected at this time in history.
- This woman was a bit of an “outcast” of her village. This is known because of the time of day she was coming to the well – in the heat of the day. She went to the well when other women would not be present.
- The woman met Jesus while she was performing an “everyday chore”. Just another ordinary day in her life, completing the daily task of retrieving water from the well.
- This encounter is the first time in scripture that Jesus clearly identifies himself as the Christ – the Messiah. Jesus reveals himself as such to an outcast Samaritan woman!
- The woman spoke the truth to Jesus – admitting she had no husband. Since she was known to speak honestly, Jesus knew others would believe her.
- She went back to her town, and “many believed” because of her testimony.
Scripture says she “left behind her water jug” as she went off to tell others – in other gospels, leaving behind the normal things of life because of the surpassing Joy of following Jesus is a sign of discipleship. The woman responded to the joy she felt by leaving her jug behind and becoming a follower of Christ.
Since she was a bit of an outcast in her town, I’m somewhat surprised that the townsfolk responded positively to her declarations about the Messiah rather than scoff or mock her. So why didn’t they? They, like Jesus, at least knew her to be an honest person. But more than that, they likely observed a change in her as she spoke of her interaction with Jesus. Perhaps an air of peace, a spark of hope?
Her words opened the door for others – as they responded to her story, they came to the well to meet Him for themselves. As a result, many people experienced Him directly and increased their belief – all because of the woman sharing a simple story of the encounter she had at the well.
The inspiration I received from studying this scripture: No one is unworthy of His Love, no one is out of reach of meeting Him personally, all are invited to the well to receive His Living Water.
But the story doesn’t end with the experience at the well.
Jesus also wants us to respond to our experiences with Him. He wants us to tell our stories, to share the Living Water with others. He wants “many to believe” because of our testimonies.
Perhaps we doubt our stories. We don’t think they are “significant” enough. We still question whether or not our experience was really with God (did He really talk to me? Did I really feel His presence? Am I just going crazy?). Perhaps we have self-esteem issues – who am I to tell a story to someone else? I’m not a clergy person, or a public speaker, or a community leader. I’m just an everyday woman. My story is too simple. My story is just for me and God, I don’t need to tell others.
Here’s my mountaintop exclamation to anyone reading this post…
I’m not sure what banter and chatter is going on in your head but let me assure you:
- Your story is real.
- Your story is true.
- Your story matters.
- Your story needs to be shared!
God is counting on you to share it! When you hold it back, you are denying God’s existence in your life. You’re keeping a bit of a wall between you and God. Sharing your stories are just as important to your own faith development as it is to showing others the truth of Christ!
Several years ago, before I created One Word Faith, I wrote out my Faith story – as it was at that time – and am including it here in its original form.
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As I’ve grown in my Faith, and have come to know more and more Christians, I am continually amazed by the variety of “faith stories” that exist. Each person’s journey to know Christ is so unique, yet ultimately, they share the same underlying truth: God loves us.
As a young child, until about age seven, my family attended a United Methodist church where I was baptized and attended Sunday school. I have just a few vague memories of my experiences during that time – memories of joy, peace, and belonging. However, after my parents’ divorce, I no longer was brought to a church nor was part of a faith community. No one in my home prayed regularly, read the bible, or went to church. I had grandparents who attended a Catholic church, but since I was not baptized Catholic, I was never encouraged to attend with them. During these years, I held onto a belief in God from my childhood but was not growing in faith and did not know Him personally.
Throughout college and my early adulthood, I sensed something missing, something calling me. New friends brought me to places of worship that gave me glimpses of what I was looking for, but still did not “click” with me. When I became engaged to be married, I participated in pre-marital counseling with a Pastor, and knew I was getting closer to fulfilling that need within. As my husband and I explored churches in our new town, I was drawn to the United Methodist church that represented the feelings of peace and belonging from my childhood.
Becoming a committed member of the church was the next big step of my journey. I started attending worship on a regular basis, became involved in a few activities, and attempted to read the Bible on several occasions. For the most part, I was trying to build Faith with my mind – intellectually analyzing the faith process, educating myself on the life of Christ, trying to make sense of things in my brain. I spent many years in a state of believing in God, in studying the life of Christ, but not having an intimate relationship with Him.
Then in a period of a few short months, things changed. I had an amazing dream with God showing me the world as He sees it – such vibrant colors and beauty (I wrote about it my post VISION)! Oh how I wanted to see the world that way too! Then I had an emotional breakthrough as I drove into the parking lot at work when a pop song came on the radio with the words “I’m everything I am because you loved me”….the tears streamed down as I finally fully embraced the love God gives me (I wrote about this experience in my post BECAUSE).
I renewed my attempt at reading the Bible, and this time, the words made sense. The stories enthralled me, I was drawn into the history, the relationships, the promises of God…and found verse after verse of encouragement and affirmation. My personal relationship with Christ had now really begun.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2
Some faith stories are like a light on/off switch, when a person can clearly point to an event, a moment, when their life was given to Christ. And some faith stories, like mine, are more like a light on a dimmer switch. My exposure to God as a child engaged the switch to an “On” position, but then just sat frozen in that state of dimness for many, many years.
Experiences here and there as a young adult turned the dial just ever so slightly each time, casting more and more light into my life. The final events of the dream, the song, and the Bible reading turned the dial to high, the brightness nearly blinding me, yet so welcomed. And now I am a Child of this Light, continually striving to burn brighter, to cast my light on others who need it and show my gratitude to the Provider, the Source of the Light.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Now, after years of basking in the Glory of His Light, Jesus is my Peace. Before my personal relationship with Christ existed, I worried about what others thought of me and I carried great burdens of shame and guilt. Once my childhood friend became known to me personally, I became free. I am not anxious about much, I trust in Him. I have an overwhelming peace that I am loved just as I am, and that nothing I do can make Him love me more or love me less. I live in His Peace knowing He is always by my side and that His will is my path.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
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The words above still hold true, but my story wasn’t over.
It’s still not over!
I’m in the middle of a new chapter, with an unknown title, but with a trustworthy God.