I always try to find a way to link what I’m trying to say back to the bible. Because ultimately that’s an historical document which I believe can be relied upon. There are scholars out there (more specialised than me) who can show how reliable the bible is as a document using the dates and numbers of early manuscripts and comparing them to other documents that are seen as reliable and accurate. There are also other documents of the time that confirm some of what is written about in the bible, including there was a man called Jesus and he was crucified.
But actually the reason for my hope is found as much in the stories of the people around me and their encounters as it is in this historical document written all that time ago. I have been incredibly privileged to hear some peoples stories, moments in their lives where they have seen miracles happen or where they have experienced God on a personal level.
Some stories seems incredulous, almost beyond belief. And then I remember that in the bible there is a story of a man turning water into wine, walking on water and feeding thousands of people with a few loaves and some fish. And this man is killed and yet three days later his tomb is empty and he appears to people in a physical form. God was doing some pretty unbelievable things 2000 years ago. Why should God not do something wild today?!
But some people have stories that hit much closer to home. They are more relatable to what some of us walk through everyday. And the thing is that telling those kinds of stories can leave us feeling incredibly vulnerable, because they are so relatable. They can leave us open to a small voice in the back of our mind asking us “what will other people think?” Or at least, I know I haven’t always told my stories because of that voice. Because, let’s face it, with the best will in the world, most of us only want others to see that we have it all together. You don’t often see posts about the bad stuff on social media. And that can lead to us feeling like we’re alone or we have to hide it. If you walk through the doors of a church (when it’s allowed), would you look around and see people who have scars and pasts they’re not proud of? Or would you see a group of people who seem to have everything together?
Please don’t hear a criticism there! It’s not necessarily appropriate to wear our stories on our sleeves for the whole world to see, particularly not if we are walking through one of those storms that life likes to throw our way, or are just getting over one. But the people who make up the churches often have a story to tell.
Stories capture our imaginations. Whether we read books or watch films or television, we can find ourselves emotionally engaged with the characters. A lot of people anticipate the adverts at Christmas because they tell a story. And within those stories, we may find a favourite one that really speaks to us, that touches us in a way that perhaps we can’t explain. My favourite story from childhood is by an Australian author called John Flanagan and is about a boy who has an ambition that he can’t attain. Throughout the book we see his journey of discovering who he is and what gifts he has, and we see him find his place. It’s an incredible action-packed story (so I don’t want to give away any spoilers) and I recommend it highly, but my point is that for the last few years that has been my journey too (with slightly less intense action). It’s been about discovering what I carry, not longing after something that isn’t the best fit for me.
So when it comes to the people around us, their stories can inspire us in the same way. Or maybe I can flip this slightly: our stories can inspire the people around us. Now I don’t have permission to share anyone else’s story, but I have heard a few recently that have had something in common that I needed to hear. Whatever these people were walking through, they also had people walking alongside them as they went through it, loving them without judging them and reflecting God’s character of grace and love.
I can’t share another’s story, but I can share mine. Or a relevant bit of it anyway (sorry, this is turning into a long post!) Across the years I have had people I have been close to push me away. I’m sure I’m not the only one, and I’m sure others have had it worse than me, but I’m not in competition with anyone here. And that has hurt and left scars. In an earlier post I have said that one of my key values is relationships with people. So I had fallen into a pattern of behaviour of building a friendship and then pushing that friend away before they can hurt me. But it was worse than that, because I also allowed the actions of those few people from my past to skew my view of God, despite what I’d read in the bible. For me, there was a fear that maybe I’d do something wrong and God would turn away, or that God would leave me. (Those promises in the bible were for other people, right? Not for me!)
Then in recent years I began finding friends who wouldn’t be pushed away. And I began to think ‘Huh, not everyone is like those people I used to know’. But it was like being stranded on a desert island 100 miles from safety. I would swim 80 miles and get to that point and then for whatever reason turn around and go back to that isolated island. I could never seem to make the connection between not everyone is like those people and God is not like those people.
Until I was in the middle of a particular struggle and a friend phoned me. And I was about to do my usual distancing thing when she said to me, “You know, you don’t have to walk through this alone. I want to support you in this.”
And in listening to others stories about having someone loving without judging while walking alongside them, I realised what a turning point that was for me. Because from that point I was able to go those extra 20 miles and realign my view from God might leave and turn his back to God sees me as I am and loves me anyway. All those bad points, those things I’m not proud of? Those things I’d rather hide? God sees them. And instead of turning away, He gently brushes them away and says, “Not anymore. You may have been that person once, but now you’re someone new.”
Ok, this is a somewhat simplistic image, but isn’t that what God’s love is? Don’t we make it more complicated than we need to by putting prerequisites on it, or by measuring it by our experience with the people we have met?
Sorry, off topic…
My point is that there is something in the stories I have heard that inspire me to tell my own story, but also help me find the courage to keep on with my own journey more aware of what God has done for me. God has brought people into my life that reflect his character and who are willing to support me with love and grace.
So if you have a story, no matter how ordinary or outlandish it may feel, tell it. And if you are struggling with something and you think you are alone, ask around. There will be people with stories that can inspire and help you.
And if you want a take away from my story? No matter what you have done, no matter who you think you are, no matter what you are going through, God loves you and He will never leave you. And chances are, he has already brought into your life those things you need to walk through what you are going through.
The Reason for my Hope Blog 