Tag Archives: testimony

Everyone has a story – what does yours say?

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Perhaps you’ve heard it said: “Everyone has a story.”

 

 

It’s true. We do all have a story.  And likely yours is a collection of memorable people, places and events, some exhilarating and happy, others filled with the darkness of pain and sorrow. There may be parts of your story that you have forgotten and parts that you’ve remembered differently than how things really transpired.  Your story may well include the people who came before you, the ones who influenced family and friends who ultimately had influence on your parents and older siblings who influenced you. For each of us our unfolding story speaks to who we are and how we live in this world.

 

When thinking about the chapters of your life, you might reflect on periods of time (childhood, early adult, later years). Some of our chapters focus on our children and grandchildren and where we’ve lived and visited.  We have a short chapter on cancer and a much longer one on God’s grace. Each anniversary we reflect on and give thanks for the way God has worked through the chapters of our lives marked by the most memorable people, places, and events.

 

Think about your story. How have you come to be where you are now?  Who are the people who have spoken truth and value into your life? What lessons have you learned that you want always to remember and pass on to others? How have the celebrations and sorrows of your life contributed to who you are now? How has God spoken most clearly to you?

 

Writing your own story is helpful to remember what it is about living that you cherish. If yours is a Christian testimony, you might condense your story into three chapters: who you were before you knew Jesus, how God spoke to you, and how He has changed your life since.  The chapters of your story and mine shine light on how our character and values have changed over the years. They reveal whether we live thankfully or desperately. For each of us our story might appear as an eclectic collection of events, places, and people, though I suspect that it is not nearly as random as we may think!

 

Finally, your story may also be your eulogy. When you and I are gone from this earth, it is the impression of our stories that remain in the lives of those who have shared them with us. Taking time to mentally sketch out or actually write your story may bring renewed perspective to your present life. At the same time it may remind you of how you want to live the rest of your life, focused on your highest values and ambitions.

 

I hope you will take some time this week to (re)discover your story and let the part not yet written speak gently and intentionally into the lives of those around you, and perhaps others around the world that you have not yet met.

 

Everyone has a story. What does yours say?

 

 

Don’t waste your suffering

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John Piper wrote a great little book called Don’t Waste Your Life, followed later by Don’t Waste Your Cancer. Both books spoke to me – before and during my experience with cancer. The premise is simple. Life is short so live it intentionally and live it well. Oh I know, when your journey is filled with suffering of all kinds, life seems to move slowly, like it may never end. A year and a half after achieving remission from cancer and after my stem cell transplant, I’m still asking my doctors, “When will I get stronger?” But even in the midst of all kinds of trials, life really is short compared to the eternity of time that awaits us. So, how do we respond?

 

“Don’t waste your suffering.”

 

Suffering seems to be wasteful in itself; it robs us of comfort, patience, strength, productivity, and so much more. Suffering leads us to experience indignities that we are sure are unnecessary to the human challenge. But suffering also is a worker, accomplishing in us that which we cannot accomplish ourselves. Consider Paul’s story:

 

“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”  2 Corinthians 11:24-27

 

Whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, threatened by robbers and countrymen, surrounded by danger all around, sleepless, hungry, cold, and naked… I think you will agree that Paul knew suffering.  If anyone had reason to complain, it was him. But how did he perceive this tremendous distress?

 

” For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

 

He considers his trials light and momentary, insignificant compared to what? Compared to what they are achieving right now for eternal glory. Our sufferings are at work to purify us and build us up, even as we are sure they are only working to tear us down. And they are working also to build others up too:

 

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” Philippians 1:12

 

None of us like to suffer and we don’t like watching others suffer. But in the midst of these, we are called to pray (for ourselves and others) and to stand firm. Don’t waste your suffering, knowing that our loving God will not waste an ounce of the pain you give to Him.