In life, everyone has a story. Some people have stories that are shared and open to the entire world, like celebrities, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Mother Theresa, etc. Then there are the people whose stories aren't shared so publicly, but could have just as much impact as the shared ones.
I have gone to prisons and jails to speak with prisoners and I have sat to listen to their stories of drug use, stealing, abuse and even murder. I have heard their stories of coming to God, or have heard the yearning in their voice for more to life than life behind bars. I have gone to a church in the dark areas of town and heard stories of hunger, violence, terror and sadness. I have heard their voice break as the tears began to roll down their face. I have seen them break beneath the weight of how much they've been through and never having a friend or loved one to care enough to listen to their story. I have passed bars and seen stripper girls going in, or coming out with a look of absolute despair written all over their faces.
Over the past few weeks, we have seen this world break out into fighting all over. The race war in Missouri, the ISIS battle going down in the middle east and children being beheaded in front of their families, women being enslaved, beaten and raped, and men being forced to watch. We have seen children and teens take guns into schools and shoot people. We have seen young people kill their parents. We have seen celebrities commit suicide from depression. We have seen people shoot others because of road rage and all sorts of other horrible atrocities and debauchery.
My heart breaks. I can't even write this stuff down without feeling a deep ache in my heart and a yearning in my soul to reach out and help heal the wounds that are open and bleeding.
Then I look at the church and see the hurt and pain within it's own four walls. I've seen pastors fall to the temptation of pornography, or cheating on their wives with other women. I've seen wives fall into sin with other men. I've seen children leaving because "religion" was just "cliche" and had become full of hypocritical people. I've seen people leave the church because of all sorts of things.
Behind each of these struggles that each person faces (big and small), there is a story; one that is of tragedy, beauty, victory, sadness, depression, hope, faith and all the many numerous things a person in this world can experience and feel. And each story has purpose, and if we can take the time to listen, our hearts could be so touched by each story. Not only would we be bringing hope to someones life by just listening but it could bring the turning point for them to have a miraculous change. I have had many a person say to me, "No one has ever took the time to listen to my story," or "No one has ever cared to hear me out," or "I've never shared my story, because it's just so depressing" etc, etc. But when the time was taken to listen to them, their hearts were renewed, strengthened and brought hope that there was someone who actually cared. Someone wanted to take time for them; to pay attention to them and be interested in their story.
There is beauty behind each hidden story. No matter how crazy, or outrageous, or ridiculous or stupendous their story might be, there is beauty. Jesus brings beauty out of ashes. He raises people up out of their torn and broken world. He cares. He listens. He loves.
He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and heaven laden and I will give you rest" (Matt. 8:28.)
He sent His Son to earth, to teach us His ways, His thoughts, His words and His actions. He brought hope and life. He sat and listened to the children and blessed them. Each one (I'm imagining) had a story to tell him. You know how children are! He called them blessed! And he wants us to be like them. Jesus is interested in our stories and since He is, we need to be interested too, in every one's stories too. Every time I have taken the time to listen, I find myself going away, encouraged, awed and inspired to be a better person. Life stories are our testimonies. They are what makes us who we are.
Revelations 12:11 says "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from
death." The word testimony stands out here to me, because our testimonies are our stories! They explain where we've been and where we are going. They explain the struggles and the victories we've had. They explain us. Sometimes (I can say this by having experience) when someone takes time to listen to where I've been and where I am going, it gives me even more strength to go on and continue in my journey. Especially when I'm going through something (which is apart of my "story," my testimony) it makes it easier to share my heart, my struggle, or even my victories! It brings me closer to the ones I am in relationship with. It exposes my heart to others and gives them a glimpse into the beauty of my "hidden life."
I read this morning on the "Women of Faith" page on FB this, "We want God to fix all our problems. God says instead, 'I want to use your problems to change you and to reveal My grace and power to the world.' That is truth-- and the truth will set you free...." If God wants to reveal His grace and power to the world, then He will use us to share our problems, and victories. He will use our testimonies and stories to change us, and those around us, if we will allow it. He sees something beautiful about us and our lives. He orchestrates it into a beautiful song. Let's learn to sing it!
To reach the world and to reach others, we don't have to be celebrities with our lives displayed on a pedestal for all to see, although God may call some of us to be the Mother Teresa's of this day and age, or the Christine Caine's, or the Kari Jobes where our lives on on display for everyone. But many of us are called to live the hidden life, where not many know our stories. But we should be willing to stand up and share our testimonies to those close around us. The beauty of our hidden lives will touch others and give others hope. It will give them strength to share their stories and encourage us, or gain help to continue on. Be brave! Your story counts! You have purpose. You have a goal. You have something that is beautiful that people need to hear. Go! change the world with the beauty of your hidden life. Sing it! Shout it! Don't be ashamed of it. It's beautiful and it is a powerful testimony!
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