Telling the story

Good Morning All,

“Once upon a time…and they lived happily ever after…” That’s the way we like our stories…but of course we know that when reality sets in, there’s a whole lot that happens in between these two phrases. But no doubt, everyone loves a good story. Stories not only take us to other times and places; they offer us a change of venue from the routines of daily living. Stories can make us laugh until tears stream down our faces; or they can bring a lump to our throats or cause us to sob uncontrollably.

Throughout my ministry, I have come to really appreciate the power of story…how it transforms our lives in the telling. This is why Jesus chose story/parable to teach his closest followers as well as his sworn enemies. What a story-teller extraordinaire as he used examples with which his hearers could relate. Tapping in on the agrarian society in which he and the people lived, he used farmers and crops; seeds and wheat; coins and relationships of family members; actions of the rulers and leaders of the religious community to make his point. When you relate to those about you—their daily lives; their livelihood; families and religious experiences; the chances are greater that the hearers will understand your teaching. Sermon illustrations do this too as preachers find ways to bring people into the stories of scripture to teach others about God and how God wants us to live.

I believe that everyone has a story…we may not think our story is anything all that great; but in reality all stories are important and informative and play a role in teaching others around us. Our life story is continuous, moving from one day, one year, one decade, throughout one’s entire lifetime; from birth to death and beyond. I also believe that each one of us has a faith story—of our ongoing spiritual journey that lies at the heart, the core, of our life’s story.

Many of us have had or are still blessed to have, people who have taken the time to share their life story and or the stories of their faith journey with us. And we are grateful. And I believe that you and I have the responsibility… No, we have the joy, of sharing our faith story with others. Lately, I’ve been privileged to hear the faith journeys of a variety of folks, the young and not so young; people who have grown up in the church—some who were able to grasp faith stories along the way while others did not. There are also those who did not grow up in the church, who are, as youth or adults, attempting to find their way into a relationship with God or to grow more deeply in their relationship.

We may be at different places and signposts along our life and faith journeys, but we’re here for the same reason--we are all seekers of the Way—in fact the early Christians were actually called, Followers of the Way! We are always seeking answers to our faith questions. Some of us have moved beyond some of the basic questions, “Is there a God?” or even, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But there are other questions we carry with us, brooding and contemplating, seeking God’s guidance for our personal needs and desires; moral and ethical dilemmas or simply struggling with the “hot topics” of this day and time. We could live as long as Methuselah and still continue to ask, “So, where is God in all of this?”

How blessed we are here at Covenant, to be a place where we are not only invited to ask the important questions of life and faith, and to share our faith stories with others; but we are encouraged to do so. May your journey lead you to Covenant’s front porch among other seekers here in this Spirit-filled setting. Come on over and sit a spell…I’ll put some water on for tea... “Once upon a time...” Blessings, Joanne