That's My Story

^{We all have a faith story. It begins at conception, when we were so intricately formed in our mother's womb. At birth, He filled our lungs with air, and thus started a journey. A journey of navigation through a big world, in search of a big God.}

<sup>Whether we came to faith early in life, or didn't know Christ until adulthood (or somewhere in between), we each left a place of separation and entered into union with God. From darkness to light. From old to new. We can look back at the B.C. chapters of our life, and see the transformation that took place from living in the flesh to living in the spirit. It's a beautiful thing! 

I look at portions of my past, at a place of hopelessness and despair; when I couldn't see the story unfolding before me that God was so clearly writing. There is great joy in forgiveness. That the blood of Jesus washes away every stain, and He uses us. He equips us. God forgives our ignorance and unbelief, because He sees the bigger picture. He draws us into relationship with Him and then sends us out. As our faith story unfolds day by day, we can trust God as the Author of Life and Perfecter of our Faith. God is not limited by our past, and He desires to use all of His children in service and ministry.</sup> 

The Apostle Paul, once a murderer of Christians, wrote:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, 
that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man,
I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord 
was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

(1 Timothy 1:12-14)

We all have a faith story; believers and unbelievers alike. Each of us is born with a God-shaped hole in our heart that can be filled with a lot of things, but only one piece fits. Only one piece satisfies. Only one piece saves. We are all on a journey of navigation through a big world, in search of a big God. Some will find Him, but most won't. May we use our own journeys to pour into the lives of others. May we trust God as the Author of our story, to be used however He sees fit. By the end, it'll be the only story worth telling!

Devotional Questions:

1. When and how did God redeem your faith story?

2. How does God want to use you, your gifts, and your story, for His service?