Go and Tell...

Jim Bucklew
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 

As He [Jesus] was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged Him that he might be with Him. And He did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Mk 5:18-20

When was the last time you shared your “story” with someone? Yes, you have a story. Everyone has one. We all have a history, full of life experiences from birth to present. But as believers in Christ, we have an even more specific and important story. And each of our stories is unique. Our “God story” reveals the path that God has led us along to bring us to Himself, and is the continuing story of how He walks with us day by day to transform us and grow us as disciples. Granted, some are more dramatic than others, but each of us has a story of redemption brought about by the loving benevolence of our Lord and God to reconcile us to Himself. And the beauty of our personal story is this: absolutely no one can argue against it. It is our personal interaction with the Living God that not a single living soul has the power to deny. Sure, some skeptics may try to invalidate it or mockingly dismiss it, but that’s just the impotent hot air of unbelief which has no real influence on the reality of your story. 

Your story can be one of the most powerful tools God uses to bring another soul to Christ – into the family of God. For example, consider the Samaritan woman at the well (see Jn 4:1-42). She had a life-changing conversation with the Living God in the person of Jesus Christ. And no one could take that away from her. It was her unique interaction with God that led her to believe. But she didn’t just take it and hide. “So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?’” (Jn 4:28-29) 

She immediately went back to town to share it with others, in spite of the fact that she probably wasn’t very well thought of among the general populace there. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Sharing your story is part of that. Without your story, your good works might be interpreted as simply the actions of a decent human being (leaving the glory with you, instead of God). 

They listened to her. And many believed. If nothing else, it piqued their curiosity enough for them to go and find out for themselves who this Jesus was. “Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.’” (vv. 39-42) Once they met Him, they knew that she was telling the truth, and they began to believe Him directly as they interacted with Him. They each began to have their own, personal story. 

Note that the people came out of the town to meet with Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, not because of the twelve apostles who were in the town to buy food. That’s how important your story can be! 

You can’t “fail”. You are not responsible for a person’s salvation. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job. But through you sharing your story, the Holy Spirit can often nudge someone closer to believing and finding reconciliation with our Creator, God Almighty. So don’t hesitate. When you find a person of peace who is willing to listen, share your story. And God will be glorified, and another soul may move a little closer to becoming part of the family of God. 

I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. 

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. 

Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but You have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” 

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, As You know, O LORD. 

I have not hidden Your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Psalm 40:1-10 

Jeff Rybacki
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