Writing Your Story

Putting your story into words can be harder than you realize. For you, your life is in snapshots and images that make sense. But communicating those images in a helpful way can be difficult. Did you ever have a thought that made complete sense to you, but once you said it everyone was like, huh?

Sometimes we start talking, thinking we make sense, but really we share a bunch of jumbled ideas and thoughts that the other person has no idea what we were trying to say. They just look at us and smile, while pretending to be interested. We have the best intentions to share with others the Good News about Jesus and how He changed our lives, but we get nervous and self-conscious. We get a little flustered and sometimes can’t think straight. Thoughts run through our mind, like “they think you are an idiot,” “you are speaking a total different language to them,” or “you should have just kept your mouth shut!”

How can we fulfill 1 Peter 3:15 if we are not ready to share with others the most important aspect of our life with them in a clear and simple way? It’s time you learn to prepare your story in such a way that you are ready to tell it at a moments notice! Your story does matter. And, if you are a believer, your story needs to be told. Are you telling others?

How you view your story will shape the way you tell others about it.

When I was in Jr High, I had the opportunity to hear a man share his testimony. His name is Nicky Cruz, a former gang leader and now evangelist. A book was written about his story called The Cross and the Switchblade. Just from the title you can tell why junior high Brad was caught up in the story. It was amazing to hear the story of a dramatic life change and what God has done through them. Unfortunately I began to think of my own story as dull and boring in comparison.

“Who would want to hear my story? I wish I had a story like Nicky’s?” I thought. Whoa, wait a minute. What was I focusing on in these thoughts? I was idolizing Nicky’s past. I was idolizing his story. I wanted to wow crowds with my story. That wasn’t why Nicky told me his story. He wanted me to meet the person who changed him. The truth is, I know the guy Nicky was talking about, I know Jesus and that makes for an amazing story.

No matter what your life experience is, if you know Jesus, your story is an amazing miraculous story! If you lived on the streets and were into drugs and sex and Jesus saved you out of that scene, your story is amazing. If you grew up in a loving home, with parents that took you to church and you were shelter from all kinds of crazy, but one day you realized you were a sinner and Jesus saved you, your story is amazing! Every believers’ story is a story of a dead soul coming to new life in Christ!

In our culture today, it is a miracle to not get caught up in sex, drugs, partying, alcohol, pornography, etc. Some of you might think your life story is boring because you haven’t experienced much of this. Yet there are so many who wish they never had experienced the sin, shame and pain they had to before they met Christ.

How you came to know Jesus is an amazing story! You need to tell it!

Who’s the Hero of your story?

Sometimes people want to tell others their testimony, but what comes out is totally different. They begin to talk about themselves. They share just how awful they were.

It’s as if there is a competition out there for some, where they want to prove to others that they were the worst sinner ever. “Let me tell you how bad I was!” In airing out all their dirty laundry, they begin to take the focus off of what matters and elevate themselves.

When you hear a testimony, you should hear just enough about the person that you understand how they realized they were a sinner. You don’t need to know every sin they ever committed, every vile thought, and every perversion they did.

What they don’t realize is that by demonizing themselves so much, they become the hero of their story. Look at how much I’ve changed. I am so proud of myself.

No! Jesus is the Hero! Tell your story in a way to point people to Jesus, not yourself. Tell just enough so the person can relate to you and see how you recognized your own sinfulness and need for a Savior. Jesus loves you and me, sinners who don’t deserve His love. Look at what an amazing Savior I have! He can be yours too!

Why do you choose to follow Jesus?

Most importantly, whomever you share with needs to hear why you follow Jesus. What is it about Jesus that makes Him worth loving? What has Jesus done for you that you would call yourself a Christ follower? Who introduced you to Jesus? Where were you when you met Him?

Say you just met someone new and fell in love, how do you talk about this new budding relationship? What if you have been in a relationship for a while, how do you talk about the other person? The way you communicate your love for that person tells a lot about the state and direction of your relationship and how well you know that person.

If you are a new Christian then there will be a freshness to your comments about Jesus. An excitement of a new beginning will be heard in the tone of your voice.

If you have known Jesus for some time there may be more complexities, and maturing comments. Included will be answers of why you still choose to follow Him.

The world needs to hear that there is a Savior who loves them and He is worthy of being followed.

How have you changed?

A relationship with Jesus is dynamic! All believers were once dead and have been made alive in Christ. That means change has to happen. If you are not changing then are you truly following?

From really subtle and seemingly small things, to huge and tremendous things, tell others of what Jesus had done in and through you! Ephesians 2:10 says God has saved you to use you in wonderful ways. How has He done that?

When you realize that your story is amazing because it isn’t about you, it’s about Jesus, and then you can discover the joy of telling others. As you tell your story, they will see Jesus in a new way. Maybe someone will choose to follow Jesus because of your story! Tell someone today!

It’s your turn

Grab a notebook and a pen. Begin sketching out your story and apply these principles. Prepare it in such a way that you can go over it and share it at a moments notice. Include your favorite verses from the Bible.

Make sure you include the Gospel. Check out www.lifein6words.com for help with telling the Gospel in a clear and concise way.

When you are done, I’d love to read your story or help you with the process! Email me at bh@lakesidechristianchurch.org.