Make My Day!

What encourages you? What makes you excited in life? What makes your day? For me, I love to hear people’s stories. This morning, I had the privilege to hear a God story from a new friend. As I listen to his story, I was greatly encouraged by the gracious work of God in his life. I am encouraged because it is so easy to get bored or dull in my faith relationship with Jesus Christ. But when God gives me opportunities to hear someone’s faith story, I see the work of God in the most powerful and unique ways, and it makes my day. It renews my faith and gives me a new hunger to tell the amazing story of God’s redemption found in Jesus Christ.

Not only does hearing the stories of those who have found hope and joy in Jesus Christ encourage me, but also hearing the stories of those who are still searching and wrestling with life. This too is a privilege and honor to walk along side others in search of meaning and purpose; in search of hope and joy; in search of significance and contentment. Knowing this struggle myself gives me the ability to listen and speak in humble and gracious ways.

How about you? Do you love to hear the stories of others? Do you enjoy entering the lives of others and helping them find their story amidst God’s big story? My hope and prayer is that God will continue to grab our hearts and help us hear one another’s stories and the stories of others in our lives so that more and more people will find the connection of their story to the big story of God’s redeeming love.

Here is an honest confession for us to consider as we admit our struggle and find renewal in Jesus Christ.

Father, we confess that we are satiated and bored.
Creation has bored us.
Work has bored us.
Family has bored us.
Friends have bored us.
Our homes bore us.
Television bores us.
Redemption has bored us.
Truth has bored us.
Faith has bored us.
Service to you has bored us.
You have bored us.
No generation in history has ever had so much to entertain it.
We are jaded and cynical.
We think the world is our servant, so we are not thankful when things go well for us, and we are not patient when they do not.
We believe every desire should be satisfied, so we are not delighted when they are, and we are not humbled when they are not.
We laugh, but do not know joy.
We are captivated, but are never really awed.
We celebrate, but we do not worship.
Have mercy on us, and forgive us.
Amaze us with grace – blood stained, incarnate, Messianic grace - the Glory of God in Christ.

Warmly,

Jeff