Telling our personal stories

"We've a story to tell to the nations
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light."
H. Ernest Nichol, 1896

It is no wonder that Jesus taught in parables (stories).

Stories share life.

Stories can be retold by people not involved in the events, without losing the details of the action. Even when the people who retell the story do not fully understand its meaning, their retelling of the events can convey the meaning to their hearers.

We of Ankeny Christian Church DO have a story to share with the world. It is the story of God's love, revealed in Jesus Christ. It is a story of hope. It is a story of the power of life, when lived in harmony with God. It is that story that gives meaning to our very existence, as a congregation of the church.

Telling the story of our church is the best way to help our friends and neighbors discover how God has worked within the fellowship that we share.

As individuals, each one of us has a story to tell. It is the story of a journey. It is a story of our failings and our mistakes. It is a story of victories. It is a story of possibilities that have been fulfilled. It is a story of dreams. It is a story that is specific to you. It is a story that is specific to me.

Telling our personal stories is the best witness for God’s leading in our lives that we can make. Before we can tell those stories, however, it helps to think about how to express them.

I find it helps me to write it out. That is not the only way, but for me writing out helps me to be much more concise. I find two perspectives helpful in getting in touch with my story. First, I think of my story as a spiritual autobiography. It is the story of almost 63 years of my lifelong faith journey. In a spiritual autobiography, the story of the key moments of decision and faithfulness emerge. Second, I think of my story as a two-minute witness to my faith, a version that could be shared briefly with someone I had just met.

I also find it helps to take a broad view of my entire life. Years ago, I was introduced to a survey form developed by Dr. James Fowler, entitled, “The Unfolding Tapestry of Your Life." It is like a timeline, beginning at birth, and continuing to my current age. It helps me think about what was happening in my world, what was going on around the world, and my understanding of God that phase of my life. Each time I use the survey tool, I find that memories flood back to me. They bring new meaning to things that happened long ago, which I had never thought about again. The feelings of those events flood back as well. Some are happy feelings. Some are feelings of guilt, regret and embarrassment. Some cause me to laugh. Others fill my eyes with tears. Yet, they are my story.

As we begin the New Year, I invite you take time to get back in touch with your own personal story in a new and fresh way. Use the timeline to help you think about your journey. Write it out. Then, lets talk.