Stories

     Is there a character, a Bible story, a parable that resonates with you? Sometimes the ordinary folks scattered throughout the Bible assist us in making sense of our own lives. We see ourselves in their mistakes, in their personality styles, in their attitudes and we can laugh or cry right along with them.

     Are you a Moses, starting your faith journey late in life and when God calls your name, you say, “Who am I?” We don’t believe God can use us at this stage in life. Who me? (see Exodus 3) David was a man after God’s own heart. (see Acts 13) He was the weakest and the youngest of his strong and able brothers, but God chose him to be king. His roller-coaster journey is written in poetic emotional detail in the Psalms. And after his infidelity, after he had his mistress’ husband killed and after the death of his child, he cries out to God to forgive him. God used him mightily and the lineage of Jesus runs through him.

     Peter is reckless and willing to try to walk on water in his unswerving faith. Unserving , that is, until he denied Jesus three times. Have you ever denied Jesus? (Matthew 26) He always forgives us and calls us back. Saul persecuted and wanted to kill all Christians until he was changed in a moment on the road to Damascus. Even his name changed to Paul. His personality never changed. (Acts 26) God used this strong personality to spread the gospel to the Gentiles and to write most of what would become the New Testament.

     My heart understands Jesus’ friend, Mary. When He went to Mary and Martha’s house for dinner, Martha was busy with many things. Mary is sitting at His feet listening to what He said. Martha complained to Jesus and He said, “Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and I will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42  There is a beautiful book I recommend called, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver.

     Wherever you are, late in life beginning a journey with Jesus, wondering how to be forgiven for a shameful past like David, worried about back-sliding like Peter, too busy to find much time to listen to Jesus like Martha, or wondering what to do with a transformed life like Paul, the Bible is filled with people just like you and just like me, trying our best to seek Jesus and sit at His feet. And there He is, right in the middle of it all. Choose the best way. Choose to follow Him.

     Wherever you are right now, He is there, too. Ready, willing and able to say.  Yes, it’s you I choose. Yes, I forgive you. Let’s turn this life around. Or tenderly as to Martha, slow down and sit with me for awhile and we’ll figure it out together.

     He can and will use you and me with all of our imperfections. It is because of His power and His Spirit and His life-altering, compassionate forgiveness and new beginnings. Read all about it. You are there in the middle of the story.  He is calling you.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for giving us true tales that teach, that meet us right where we are. The Bible tells the true stories of real life, real suffering, real guilt; too busy, too old, too young, too scared. Yep, there we are in all of it. Take our lives and use us, just as you did with the ones You loved in Scripture.  Who am I and what will You do?

In Jesus name,\

Amen