Live the Story

“When you find a story that works, live that story, make it true, authentic and subject to scrutiny”  
- Seth Godwin, author of All Marketers Are Liars Tell Stories.

Christian people have a story to tell, a truth to share.  

The story we have to share is Jesus.  Jesus who is somehow more human, more common and real than can be grasped.  Jesus who is more divine, more holy and glorious than can be imagined.  It is out of compassion for you and me that Jesus covers his divine nature and shows us his humanity, his common and needy and wanting humanity.

The thing is you and I are unable to be comfortable with true perfection and pure holiness, so Jesus gives us room to just be ourselves.  By becoming fully human, he gives you space to be - anxious and wanting, cocky and pretending to have everything all together, whatever and whoever you are.  Jesus came “not to condemn the world, but to save it”  (John 3:17).  This space Jesus gives you is a place for your heart to rest and find acceptance and grace.  In Jesus you will find welcome and you are loved. 

Spending time with Jesus is good, but it does change things.  For one, it changes how you look at the world, what you pay attention to and how you respond to these thing you see.  Spending time with Jesus means you might start paying attention to what he finds important - the poor ones, the hungry ones, the hurting ones, and the ones who are pushed aside and ignored.  You may start to notice those who we once overlooked and begin to feel the responsibility to reach out and help.  This is not particularly pleasant because it pulls us out of our self-centeredness and pulls us away from materialism.

On the other hand, spending time with Jesus means you might start to notice God’s handiwork all around.  The world becomes more vibrant, the beauty of creation more inspiring, and the places where God brings new life, peace, and hope more obvious.

Jesus is not just about providing a respite or retreat away from the world and ourselves.  Jesus is active, moving and shaping our world and our hearts.  Spending time with Jesus, letting God’s forgiveness start to take hold - reforms us and begins to reform our relationships.  Our hearts of faith become softer and stronger. 

Jesus is persistently working to bring justice, hope and new life in surprising and wonderful ways.  You may read the news and only see the violence and bad news, but there are also glimpses of hope, new life and goodness.

This is Jesus and he is our story.  Spend time with him, in him - Live the Story!  

You cannot live the story alone, so come to church worship God and deepen your faith, serve with others who are trying to live the story of Jesus.

This Summer I would like us to have a “Live the Story” summer challenge where we are on the look out for people who are living the story of Jesus.  I would like us to report back through our website blog, on a board in the back of the church, through pictures and stories and other evidence.  So please, tell on your neighbors and family members when you see them living the story of Jesus!  More information will be coming as we get closer to June.