I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY

For several years now writing has been a spiritual discipline for me.  Most of the time I don’t even think of it as a discipline because I enjoy the processing of my thoughts and pondering so much that it seems more like a joy than a discipline.  But every once in awhile I run dry and it is a discipline to write; fortunately that isn’t often.

These past few weeks it wasn’t a draught of thoughts but too many that made my writing an effort.  There are so many things to think about and write about these days.  There is a lot happening in the physical world and the spiritual world; things to know about, be concerned about, warn others about, and be in prayer about.  Words and opinions are flying all around trying to capture my attention.  It becomes overwhelming to my mind and my spirit.  I find as I grow older I can’t handle all the information that is bombarding me every minute of every day.  I just want to sit in my chair, cover my head, and shout, “Stop the world I want to get off!”

I was at that point this morning as I opened my Bible to where my trusty bookmark was.  I picked the bookmark up to set it aside and begin my reading, but I stopped and actually read the bookmark.  I smiled because it was an old hymn that I remember singing when I was a kid.  As I read it my mind and heart settled into its words and came to a sense of rest.

“I love to tell the Story of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and He’s Glory, of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the Story, because I know ‘tis true;

It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the Story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,

To tell the old, old Story, of Jesus and His love.”

This is what needs to be shared with every person in this world today; the Story of Jesus and His love.  In this Story are the seeds of eternal hope, eternal joy, eternal love, and eternal life.  Those seeds have the power of God’s authority and transformation in them, to change and to heal people’s lives.  It is the truest method of evangelism and discipleship, the method Jesus gave His disciples directly with the most beautiful promise ever given.

“Behold I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In these days of darkness and difficulty; in these days of pain and suffering; in these days of rebelliousness and selfishness; in these days that many believe are the “Last Days”; this is the simple Story, the only Story that will bring light to the darkness, ease to the suffering, submission to the rebellion, and hope to those who are waiting for Jesus’ return.

I can see nothing more worthwhile to think about, to talk about, and to write about.  It was God’s plea to His people after He brought them out of slavery and into the Promise Land. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)  It was Jesus’ plea to His disciples after completing His work of bringing God’s people out of the slavery to sin and making the promise of a New Promised Land. (John 14:1-4 and Revelations 21 and 22.)  I can see nothing more worthwhile to have as my message, my mission, and the story that I tell.