Stories of Hope

Mark 2:12 (NIV)
He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" 

There is nothing more apt to make a believer out of people than a miraculous healing. Some of us have experienced the astounding cure of a loved one who we were sure was nearing their last breath. God stepped in and changed everything! Why? Because He can and He wanted to and maybe He was asked to intervene.

Or, those near death experiences we've all had, some more stunning that others, but each one a testimony to the amazing grace and goodness of our God. During circumstances like these, we feel a close connection to the One who is able to do 'exceedingly more than we ask or imagine'. (Ephesians 3:20)

How many times have you heard someone say, "I've never seen anything like this?" I heard a story the other day of an older woman driving in the country by herself when she lost control of her vehicle. The dreary, rainy day kept many off the roads so no one witnessed it when her car plummeted 50 feet down an embankment.

Careening down the muddy hillside, the car tore through trees and shrubs, landing on the driver side, tight against the trees. As strange as it sounds, the airbags never deployed, and the woman was able to crawl to the passenger door and exit the car.

She survived only bruised and shaken up. The incredible part of this story is how she climbed up the 50-foot mud-covered hill, all by herself. She had her purse and umbrella in one hand and she tells how she got to the top and realized someone had a hold of her free arm and was escorting her to safety. She knows it was an angel.

The Guardian Angel and this testimony point to the hope we have because of Jesus and His amazing love for us.

Mark 2:1-12

Know Your Story

John 5:15-20

Know your story…………. One would tend to think we DO know our own story, yet as I prepared to write about today’s theme, I got to thinking.

Are we paying close enough attention to the events in our lives to truly know all the ways the Lord has touched us?

Do we take the time to ponder, appreciate, and share the many ways we are guided and protected by the Holy one?

How often do our challenges manipulate and overtake our thoughts instead of us acknowledging that these trials are meant to be vehicles used to get to another place?

The radio station I listen to plays a short ditty at the end of one of the DJ’s shifts. It is sung by an unidentified individual who I picture as an older, bearded, wise man. Some of the lyrics are: “Take every knock as a boost, every stumbling block as a stepping stone.” I look forward to hearing that little song every day while driving home from work, as it offers me another perspective on the day’s events.

The story of the demon possessed man who was healed by Jesus at first glance doesn't seem to coincide with “Know Your Story.” However, it does. As Jesus was getting into the boat to leave, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. Jesus’ response was: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Going with Jesus may have been easier than what Jesus was telling him to do, but that was not part of his story.

As we settle into the reality of our own lives, no matter how long or short, we can get to know our own story much better if we take the time to do so. We are familiar with the verse; “Be still and know that I am God.” How about being still and reliving our own story, openly allowing our hearts to grieve our mistakes and accepting the grace and mercy of God?

Lord, please be with us as we take our knocks, and use those stepping stones to share the story of your Everlasting Love. Amen.

Read/Listen to Mark 5:15-20