Why our stories matter....

Stories live in your blood and bones, follow the seasons and light candles on the darkest night-every storyteller knows she or he is also a teacher...

~Patti Davis

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...

~Revelation 12:11

"Do you read everyone's blog?" My coworker snickered.

She had a point. Just about everyone on our church staff has dipped their toes into the blogosphere and I admit, I read them all. It's not because I'm nosey, it's because I love reading people's stories, stories that tell in detail about what God has and is still doing in this world.

If there is one thing that the internet has done for the Church worldwide, it's that it has given us access to other's stories like we've never had before. How else could I read about Princess Warrior's healing from depression in Australia or be captivated by Ali's adventures and God revelations in Africa. What other way could I learn from The Livesay's experiences in compassion,understanding, and love in Haiti? The message here is clear, encouraging, and full of hope: He's still working. He's still doing the same things He's done for thousands of years.

God is passionate about individual stories. It is through this venue that He has chosen to show us what He has and is still doing. The Bible is a giant compilation of individual stories, stories that mattered, stories that told us that God's not done yet. Stories that spurred our hearts on to hope that if God could work in their lives, He can work in ours.

What's more effective, to give a theological exposition on God's ability to heal, or to hear about a woman who's been completely set free from bondage? You can hear a lecture on the goodness of God, or you can read about a small group of surgeons who are committed to helping correct deformities in young children in Africa. Stories captivate, inspire, and spur our spirits on in a world that is increasingly in need of hope.

I love that about God, don't you? I love that even though many believe we're sitting in the "end times" God is turning up the hope dial. I love that God is using tools like the internet to give us access to all the good He is doing. I love that He is still changing lives and setting people free, and that I can read about it from thousands of miles away.

What's your story? It matters more than you think.