O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old –
what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:1 -4 (NIV)
There are many Scriptures, many Biblical stories that tell me to tell my story. Jesus said I should go and show some people how to grow into His disciples. The best way to do that is by example. A good teacher doesn’t just tell a student how to do something. A good teacher shows how to do it and does it in their own life.
My family has supported a local hospital that is part of the Children’s Miracle Network for the last seven years. We raise money and give it to a program that provides…FUN ‘stuff’ to kids who are battling life-threatening illnesses and injuries. That is a legacy of my youngest son, James, who died four years ago from cancer. It is his story that has become our story to help others with their story. Not surprising that very often Jesus is identified as the true author of the story – even by those who had never previously met Him!
When I look at James’ story, there is much to be learned whether you are younger than he was, a peer, or much older. It would be a greater loss if we did not know his story with Jesus. He was a typical, imperfect teen who was raised up to something greater because he knew the One and Only perfect Lord! There were many times in James’ life when he could have chosen to pull in and shut himself off. He had great ‘brothers and sisters’ who hung with him in the good and bad times and helped him in weak moments and prayed – oh my, the thousands and thousands of hours of prayer that were involved in those five years! So much conversation between God and all who were connected in this network!
Too often we work all our lives to provide an inheritance for our children and grandchildren that can be lost in a moment. In this difficult economic time, maybe we can grasp the fragility of a financial inheritance! The legacy that last for generations upon generations is one where I tell my children about Jesus and His life and how His life saved mine. The legacy is also showing my children how Jesus in my life made me live a better life than I possibly could have. It is not being perfect but, in fact, allowing my children to see me weak so that they see how Jesus provides the strength!
Tell your story. Do not allow fear of what others might think deter you from sharing Jesus in your life. Do not be deceived that your faith is just personal. It is because that it is personal that makes the story so necessary to come from the heart. It does not have to be a well-spoken dissertation or an evangelistic message that could only come from Billy Graham! I suspect when Rev. Graham shared his story with his children he did not ‘sound’ like THE Billy Graham. He sounded like ‘Dad’. He shared his heart in a way only his children could identify.
We will not hide… Oh that it will be so!
