To Write

One of the many blogs I follow is written by Lysa TerKeurst. She posted something recently that's playing over and over in my mind. As background I guess you should know that as much as I love to write, and am [GULP!] actually learning to embrace public speaking when given the opportunity, I often struggle to know what to share. What do I say? What's of value? What can I give that will make your time investment in my words be worth your while?

When I find myself voicing these questions, Mom's advice is always simply, "Just tell your story, Sweetheart." And I do. But sometimes it seems awfully self-centered. And I wonder if this is really the way to go about using the platform God's built for me. I don't want it to be "all about me," but since one of the key rules for writers is "write what you know" or "write from experience" I've never figured out a better way to go about it.

With this in mind, it was a huge breath of relief, an "Ah-ha!" moment, to read Lysa's recent thoughts:

I’m more convinced than ever people don’t care to hear about our Jesus these days until they meet the reality of Jesus in our lives.
Don’t skim past that last sentence too quickly.  Our history with Jesus is our best salvation message.
If you look at the word ‘history,’ it’s interesting to break it in half and see the words, “His story.”  That’s the thing this world is dying to hear.  People can debate and argue theology all day long but they can’t argue what Jesus has done personally in our lives.  Truth lived out is the best sermon.

She had more inspiring thoughts to share, but these are the words the lept into my soul.

So that's the trick. That's what makes the difference between how telling my story makes it "all about me" and why telling my story can instead point someone to Him. I've heard it said many times, "You are the only Bible some people will ever read" and agree with the statement, but somehow never quite made the bridge to how "just telling my story" was anything other than narcissistic. Having it worded by Lysa that, "people don’t care to hear about our Jesus these days until they meet the reality of Jesus in our lives" just made it "click" for me, that I'm right where God has me, living my life, telling my story, praying to be used by Him through it all. :)

A sweet quote from the facebook page of A Friend in the Storm seems to go along with all this. "GRACE is more than a comfort. It seasons our speech, fragrances our lives, & explains our eternity." 

Lord Jesus, You are the author of my life. Please live and work in and through me, letting Your story speak grace through my every word. I am nothing without You. Let me be a light to shine Your love for hurting people, leading the broken to Your heart!