For the Chimes Newsletter
By Pastor Gary Lewis
During our “One Month to Live” spiritual growth campaign, I have been reminded of the many conversations I have had with terminally ill persons and their families. One of the first things that come to mind is the importance of story. Many times, I have been privileged to sit with someone and listen to the story of his or her life.
We need to tell our stories. We need time to reflect, to think about the things that have mattered most to us. We need to give thanks for those we have loved and those we have received love from during the course of our days. This is the way we make meaning in life.
The one constant theme I have learned from “One Month to Live” is that we don’t have to wait. Each of us is terminal so the decision we need to make now is to really start living. The way to do that is to tell our stories. I have been encouraging our church leaders to share their testimonies of faith with us. I envision a time when worship will include moments of sharing. What has God been doing in your life? How has God’s grace, mercy and care been made real to you?
We are benefactors of a long history of God’s providential grace and care. I came across a sermon title the other day I really liked: “Why Windshields are Larger than Rearview Mirrors.” While a rearview mirror is mandatory by law, seeing what is in front of us is infinitely more important. Yet, knowing the story of where we have been gives us encouragement to face an uncertain future.
People remembering the mighty acts of God in the past are also encouraged to persevere and hope, even in the midst of present difficulty. When we remember the powerful hand of God at work in the past, we are encouraged to trust in God. Rehearsing the mighty acts of God offers assurance that the future is secure in God’s hands as well.
As we begin the season of Lent (March 13), we are encouraged to remember our story as Christ-followers. There are many stories to tell. There are the stories of Old Testament figures that testify to God’s love and deliverance. We hear the stories of Daniel, Nehemiah, Deborah, and Jonah—and they become our story. There are the stories of the New Testament, and encounters with God’s Word made flesh. We hear the stories of the disciples, of the Gerasene demoniac, of the lepers, of the paralytic, and of Mary and Martha—and they become our story. We hear the stories of the early church in the book of Acts, and the stories of each church that has proclaimed the truth of Christ since the day of Jesus’ resurrection - and they become our stories.
We all have stories to tell. We remember all the blessings we enjoy. We think about the things we have accomplished through the power of God at work in us. We give voice to the things that have mattered most to us. We give thanks for those we have loved and those we have received love from during the course of our days. This is the way we make meaning in life. This is the way we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift we have ever received - the body of Christ given for us so that we might live.
During these 40 days in Lent, let’s spend time sharing our stories. I believe that if we listen closely, we will hear the good news of God’s amazing love, being poured out for us in ways large and small.
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