I love the Bible because it is filled with "God stories." A "God story" is a story where you see God change the lives of individuals. That's what you see all through the Bible - God changing and using individuals who in no way deserved His touch or His love. But the cool thing about "God stories" is that they didn't end when the Bible was completed. God is still changing and using individuals today who in no way deserve His touch or His love. "God stories" are happening every day all around us. To me, that is the best part of being a pastor - seeing the "God stories" take place. Recently my wife and I got to hear two such stories.
We have been able to get to know a man who is very new to our church. He was at his rope's end when it came to living. To him, the only reasonable way out was suicide. He carefully thought it through and went out and bought a gun. He decided that the bathtub was the best place to end his life on this earth. He even went as far as to climb in the tub, and with the gun being unloaded, practice this final ending. But then God stepped in! He ran into his former wife who gave him the book, "The Purpose Driven Life." God used this book and this man gave his heart to Jesus. He is now a member of our church and is growing like crazy. His zeal to know and serve God is refreshing. That is a "God Story."
My wife and I were able to spend time recently with an amazing young couple who are also in our church. We were captivated as they shared their story of intense and unfair hurt and pain. They had suffered incredible emotional hurt, physical hurt, relational hurt and even spiritual hurt. I am not kidding when I tell you that the vast majority of people who went through what they did would be bitter today. But not this couple. They have allowed their hurtful experiences to make them better and now they are more in love with Jesus than ever and are pouring themselves into the lives of others. You can't help but fall in love with this couple. That is a "God Story."
"God Stories!" They are happening all around us every single day. But what's even better is that they are happening in our own lives as well.
"Go, God! Keep changing and using individuals who in no way deserve your touch or your love. Keep the stories coming!"
We have been able to get to know a man who is very new to our church. He was at his rope's end when it came to living. To him, the only reasonable way out was suicide. He carefully thought it through and went out and bought a gun. He decided that the bathtub was the best place to end his life on this earth. He even went as far as to climb in the tub, and with the gun being unloaded, practice this final ending. But then God stepped in! He ran into his former wife who gave him the book, "The Purpose Driven Life." God used this book and this man gave his heart to Jesus. He is now a member of our church and is growing like crazy. His zeal to know and serve God is refreshing. That is a "God Story."
My wife and I were able to spend time recently with an amazing young couple who are also in our church. We were captivated as they shared their story of intense and unfair hurt and pain. They had suffered incredible emotional hurt, physical hurt, relational hurt and even spiritual hurt. I am not kidding when I tell you that the vast majority of people who went through what they did would be bitter today. But not this couple. They have allowed their hurtful experiences to make them better and now they are more in love with Jesus than ever and are pouring themselves into the lives of others. You can't help but fall in love with this couple. That is a "God Story."
"God Stories!" They are happening all around us every single day. But what's even better is that they are happening in our own lives as well.
"Go, God! Keep changing and using individuals who in no way deserve your touch or your love. Keep the stories coming!"
It is incredible joy to be able to see God's hand in our lives and the lives of those around us...I thank Him so much for allowing me in on those moments.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Gail. God's grace is an amazing thing, isn't it?!
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