“Did I ever tell you about the time me and Steve went FISHIN’?” my old Uncle Hubert asked in his “I don’t have my hearing aid in” voice.
He had cornered – er, taken my hubby aside – to regale him with fish tales of days gone by. I’m pretty sure John even felt the “splash” of fishin’ water, since Uncle Hubert was almost nose to nose with him.
My uncle loved to reminisce and retell his old stories. And why not? Everybody loves a story, and everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours?
The word story is derived from the Greek word meaning knowing or knowledge. Your story is what you know, what you have experienced first hand.
The Apostle Paul’s story is told three times in the book of Acts (Acts 9, 22, 26). In Acts 22:3-16, he gives his testimony: what his life was like before he met Jesus (he persecuted followers of Christ, even to the death), and the day he met Jesus. Saul (as he was known then) was heading to Damascus to capture more Christians and terrorize them. Suddenly, a bright light from heaven surrounded him, blinding him.
“and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
“And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’” Acts 22:7-8 NASB
Blinded by a bright light, Saul heard the voice of the risen Savior! His story sounds like a tall tale that would rival most fishermen’s. But it is true. It is Saul’s remarkable testimony. Meeting Jesus changed Saul’s life. He became know as Paul, and instead of being zealous to kill Christians, he became zealous for Christ. A complete 180 degree turn! But that’s what Jesus does for us, doesn’t He?
This was Paul’s conversion experience. It was dramatic, wasn’t it?
Was your salvation experience this exciting? Mine wasn’t.
I grew up in a Christian home. My faith grew slowly over time, from a steady diet of hearing God’s word. I was eleven when I knew it was time to ask Jesus to be my Savior. No flashing lights, no triumphal fanfare.
Not all conversion experiences are as dramatic as Paul’s. BUT…
[tweetthis]ALL stories of meeting Jesus are life-changing![/tweetthis]
“God has a grand, eternal destiny for each of us. He has written an amazing story. No one ever before or ever after will have your story.” (An Imperfect Woman, Kim Hyland, page 209 Kindle Edition)
If you know Jesus, you have a story to tell.
Own your story.
“As my story has unfolded, I’ve been tempted to question God’s timing. There are chapters I would like to rewrite, but then I remember who the author is.” (An Imperfect Woman, Kim Hyland, page 193, Kindle Edition)
So, what’s your story?
Send me an e-mail, I’d love to hear it!
Grace be with you,
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