tell me a story

30Nov
by Jon Swanson

We asked thirty or so people what they were thankful for. Kiley had a camera. Janna had a microphone. Both were on when the question was asked.

People were good sports. People answered. They mentioned family. They mentioned God. They mentioned church and food and candy and laughter. Different ages, different life stages, different stories of struggle.

We asked another forty people to tell their story of faith in a handful of words on two sides of a piece of cardboard. They spoke of cancer and abuse and struggles. That was on one side of the cardboard. On the other side they talked about God’s presence and about hope and about community.

Between those two simple projects, more than 70 people spoke simply and powerfully in our church gatherings this weekend.

No one preached a thirty-minute sermon. No one said more than fifty words. No one had long outlines, footnotes, or theological references. Instead, they told the story of their lives and of their moments.

Is there a place for longer discourse? By all means. It is part of learning, of training, of teaching. The long pieces we do, whether in sermons or blog posts or essays or books provide explanations and underpinnings and understanding.

But all that means nothing if there are not dozens of simple stories for every one of those longer pieces. The good news of the kingdom is that it is good news of great joy which shall be to all people.

So here are my questions for us this week:

What’s your simple answer to what you are thankful for this moment? If you had to say something with a camera in your face, what would you say?

If you had 15 words (or fewer) to tell the story of your following Jesus, what would they be?

7 thoughts on “tell me a story”

  1. sheilapurvis's avatar

    sheilapurvis

    I am thankful for God’s Word and that he preserved it throughout the ages, and everyone who suffered while keeping it preserved. I’m thankful that me and my family haven’t, as of yet, had to suffer for his Word. And, I am thankful that we have his Word to encourage us, if or when, we suffer. In other words, His Word makes a full circle.

    Worshiping and giving thanks to God for not leaving me when I had left Him.

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      Mike – thanks for letting me know. We were trying to let everyone see clearly, including those who sit in the back. It worked!

      Sheila – I, too, am grateful that God’s faith in me doesn’t depend on my faith in him.

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  3. Becky's avatar

    Becky

    I spent not quite two hours with my dad today. He has Alzheimer’s disease, in the moderate to severe stage.

    I am thankful that for every heartbreaking thing in my life, there are good things that come in at the right moment to balance it out.

    I wouldn’t be able to say that into a camera, but there it is.

    My story in 15 words:
    I have doubted for a long time, but he healed my heart when I asked.

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