Day 6: How do I know my {story} has significance?

~ Lisa Brittain

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.  I Thessalonians 5:11 msg

The book of Ruth is full of individual people simply living their lives while under God’s direction, and in His Sovereignty, their life circumstances became stories of experience.  And it was through the sharing of their stories a woman was introduced to the love and redemption of God, another was redeemed from hopelessness and a family name and lineage was preserved and ultimately became the lineage of Christ.

Just in the first two chapters of the book of the Ruth, it is evident sharing stories brought hope and encouragement.  Naomi heard.  Ruth heard.  The people of Judah heard.  Boaz heard.  As they heard, they were each moved to action.  Naomi heard the famine was over and went home.  Ruth heard and chose Naomi’s God for herself.  The people of Judah heard and welcomed Naomi home and embraced her foreign daughter in law as one of their own.  Boaz heard and offered safety and provision.{story}.png

Truly amazed once again, as I glean again in the harvest fields of God’s word in Ruth this morning, at the power of our story.  And freshly encouraged by what I already know is true, I am inspired (I hope you are too) to persevere in sharing my story as it is pertinent and the door of opportunity is opened before me.

I’m embarrassed to confess this, but sometimes I am tempted to believe my work doesn’t really matter for the Kingdom of God.  I’m just a receptionist, you know.  It seems surely I could make a bigger impact if I was a real writer of books or a speaker to groups gathered to hear Truth.  (I know, believe me, I am so embarrassed to confess this in public)

And then I hear myself at work sharing my life story with person after person standing in front of me seeking an answer to a question.  I have begun to realize God has given me a place to share my story – a hundred different snippets of mothering, marriage, aging parents, time management and priorities in faith, work, family, and so on and so on.

I realize just this school year, I’ve encouraged countless mothers with pictures and stories of my own two sons, who attended this same school years ago, with the truth – “Yes, they do grow up.”  I’ve laughed and pointed to the trendy gray streaks in my hair as evidence it hasn’t been easy, but “You’ll get there, mom, I promise!”

Recently, I rejoiced with someone whose family member came out of a coma and offered condolences to those who are grieving and encouraged someone to enjoy their aging mother more than worry about getting work done.share your story

God set this stage for me.  I realize even as I type this, He has given me what I’ve longed for all along – a place to interact with people, their stories and mine shared together to create community.  It doesn’t look like the stage I would have designed for myself, but I receive it as a true gift from God.  May I be faithful in stewardship over the position and privilege He has given me.

Our life stories intricately woven together by God become the beautiful, colorful pattern of His-story.  As we glean from Ruth, our story in His story has an eternal impact.

May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”  Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own.  The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:15 – 17 nlt

Ponders:

  • Do you know your life is a significant story?
    • What does Jesus want you to know about your story?  Will you ask Him for His view of how your life impacts your corner of the world for His Kingdom purposes?
  • What aspect of your life story are you most likely to share?
    • In what format or setting do you most enjoy sharing your story with others?  Do you find that others open up and share too when you begin to share your story?
  • Do you avoid sharing your life story because of a difficult chapter or two?
    • Are you able to identify the reasons why you feel your story can’t be shared?
    • Are there feelings of guilt, shame or unworthiness tied to your story?
    • Since the word of God tells us we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony –
      • what might Jesus want to reveal to you about
        • the power of His blood to redeem any story – even yours
        • the importance of your story
        • the power of your story redeemed as a result of His sacrifice
    • Would you be willing to ask God to open the door of opportunity for you to share your story?
      • What’s the worst thing that could happen by sharing your story?
      • Is it worth the risk?

 

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am an avid follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received dramatic healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I was challenged to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by fearful actions. I received the challenge presented by both of my sons. They love me and so they dared to confront me with the truth. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then {more than a decade ago} to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. In my late 40's I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. I am a tentmaker {actually a reupholsterer} by day, which helps to support the call God has on my life to serve Him in my community. I thoroughly enjoy my work. Repairing and restoring throw-away furniture is a fulfilling creative outlet. More so, my Cheer House Repair and Restore business opens the door for me to interact with my community. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall so in love with Jesus through His word and conversation; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 30 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have two - grown young men on their own journeys. Additionally, we share our home with 3 lively rescue pups. I look forward to having you join me on this journey of faith... Bold feet, humble heart Psalm 131 ~ Lisa

8 thoughts on “Day 6: How do I know my {story} has significance?”

  1. Pingback: Day 16: What if we could {read} the script in advance? – eyesonjesusandshine

  2. How true – God has put me in just the place (on the just the stage) where He would have me tell my story. Too often, I resist it and dream of someplace else…but I pray that He can use me right here where I am!

    1. Jennifer, Thank you for spending some of your precious resource of time here with me. Bless you as rest, study, pray and glean in God’s fields for the food of His Word and then… boldly with rejoicing take the stage He’s given you for His GLory!

  3. I think we often forget that God uses the small things of our lives and those things that seem insignificant as the catalyst to change our lives and those we have contact with. Ruth, Naomi and even Boaz never imagined that their little life would make such an impact of people of today. They were simply living their life. Living just like us… one day at time. How important for us to remember that our everyday living makes a bigger impact than we imagine.

    1. oops… I hit “send” too soon. I wanted to say thank you for your words of encouragement that you wrote here! I appreciate them. (Stopping by from #fmf) Happy Friday to you!

      1. Rachel, I too enjoyed your #fmf post {story}. This is so much fun and truly transformational sharing our stories together day by day. Thank you for adding to the conversation over here at Eyes on Jesus… I bless you, friend, as you shine for Him. ~lisa

  4. This is wonderfully encouraging. Sometimes when our lives feel ordinary it is hard to think that God is really using us. But the beauty of the Kingdom is that God will use people and events in ways we can’t predict! I needed to hear this today.

    1. Bethany, thank you for spending some of your precious time over here with me at Eyes on Jesus and Shine. Thank you for adding value to our conversation and encouraging me to encourage you and others to keep telling our stories. God is at work in us. He is smiling on you in your ordinary… and somehow what we see as oridnary I think He sees as extraordinary!

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