Our Stories (Part 1)
“. . . they help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!” (Isaiah 41:6)
Spiritual growth does not take place in a vacuum. Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting; all these things promote spiritual growth, but the fact is spiritual growth takes place in the everyday ups and downs of life itself.
This is why it is so important that we share our lives with each other. One of the best ways to do this is by sharing our stories. The gospels share the story of Jesus with us. And the story of Jesus is filled with stories of his relationships with others; his motley crew of disciples, the religious leaders who continually harassed him, Roman centurions, and lepers, and the blind, lame, and downtrodden to whom he proclaimed the good news of God’s kingdom.
Our lives are intimately connected to Christ and to each other. As we open up, sharing our life stories with one another, we grow in Christian maturity.
Here’s an excerpt from my book, “Masterpiece in the Making,” that highlights the importance of sharing our stories. I need to break it down in the next several posts so, be patient.
To begin with, let me say that, like all of us, I experienced some detours in my spiritual journey. Some of those detours resulted in what I like to refer to as wilderness wanderings. That’s why, even though I knew as early as twelve years old that God was calling me to be a pastor, I lost my way during my high school years, and by the time I entered college, God’s calling in my life was a distant memory at best.
I began my college education in a small, prestigious liberal arts school. Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, was the perfect school for my gifts and abilities. But there was a problem. During my final year of high school in Atlanta, Georgia, I met and fell madly in love with a beautiful young artist named Marie.
Being separated from Marie was unbearable, and I skipped classes regularly to make the three-hour drive back to Atlanta to be with her. Finally, I applied for admission to Georgia Tech, located in downtown Atlanta. Tech was known for its rigorous math and science programs. Not exactly my strengths, but I wanted to be close to Marie, and I was willing to do whatever it took.
It was at this point in my life that I had a powerful encounter with God.
More tomorrow.
In Christ,
Dan