The History of Ourstory

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:5, 8

It’s funny, isn’t it, how our feelings find a way to our faces?  Peace evokes a certain look, gratitude brings forth another.  Happiness, confusion, sorrow – all of our inner emotions bubble up and show up through facial expressions especially reserved for each.

Baptism is like that in a way.  It is an outward expression of an inward work of grace.  When John preached his message of repentance, for instance, immersion in the waters of the Jordan bore testimony to the people’s inner commitment to a new direction pleasing to God.

Similarly, when we entrust our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of us, as so clearly promised by the prophets of old.  And what is the outward expression of such unimaginable grace?

Power.  When we live in Christ, we live in his power; when his Spirit indwells us, his power moves in with him.  Paul described it as God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe.”

But power unto what purpose?  Again, Paul opened a window for our understanding.  Praying for the church in Ephesus, he asked they be granted power – so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith ... and so that they could grasp the magnitude of Christ’s love for them ... and so that they might be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

God delights in working in us and through us – his people, his church.  If we don’t see his power in us, it’s not because it’s not there, rather we should pray that God would open our eyes to see it.

And if we do see the power of God working through us, we need to tell our story.  That’s what witnessing is: simply telling what we’ve seen.  Has God provided income when you were staring down a financial barrel?  Tell the story.  Did God open up an opportunity to tell someone about him?  Tell the story.  Have you seen him heal?  Tell the story.  Has Christ taken up residence in your life through faith?  Tell the story.  Has God brought you understanding and peace?  Tell the story.  Has God used you to bless someone else or has he blessed you through someone else?  Tell the story.

Whatever Christ has done in and around you, whatever the manifestation of his mighty power, tell the story. 

For our story is his story.  And in his story, there is power.

[Click here to see the daily reading, Acts 1:1-11.]