My favorite memory as a kindergartener is listening to my teacher, Ms. Miller, read stories. Every afternoon she sat on a stool as we gathered around her feet sitting cross-legged and wide-eyed as she read. The words from the stories she told drew me in like a moth to a flame. Recently, as I stood in a line ten deep to buy a movie ticket, I realized how much I still love stories. We all do.
Hearing and telling stories stitches together a common thread that connects us as human beings. Stories remind us that we share similar struggles and triumphs. Stories entertain, educate, and remind us that we are not alone. Perhaps the most compelling thing about stories is they teach us what is possible.
The Bible is full of true stories. In Luke 8:26-39, we read the story of Jesus healing a demoniac. Prior to his encounter with Jesus, this man had lived a life of torment and isolation. In fact, the text says he wandered naked among tombs. No doubt he had suffered years of mental anguish, social isolation, and ridicule. Then something miraculous happened. Christ healed him.
After Jesus healed the man, the text says in Luke 8:35 that he “was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” Jesus restored his sanity and dignity. This man was filled with gratitude and wanted to travel with Jesus, but Jesus gave him a different command:
“‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39)
I love the phrase, “declare how much God has done for you.” In other words, Jesus told him to go home and tell his story. The truth is, every Christian has a story to tell. It’s impossible to have a relationship with Christ and remain unchanged. Every one of us experiences a turning point when we encounter Jesus. We need to tell our story.
Why?
Because we need to remember what God has done (and continues to do) on our behalf, and other people need to hear.
I’ve often heard people say they don’t feel comfortable sharing their salvation story because they fear it is boring “since nothing dramatic happened.” I disagree. Colossians 2:13-15 teaches us that prior to our salvation we were dead in our trespasses but are made alive in Christ at the time of our salvation. Regardless of our circumstances prior to salvation, crossing over from being spiritually dead to alive in Christ is dramatic.
As Christ followers, we have a story worth telling. We need to tell it. And others need to hear it.
