Day 26: Telling Your Story

Anyone who has heard me speak over the past few decades may have heard me mention Coach Joe. But if you haven’t heard, Coach Joe was my high school football coach and the person who led me to Christ. I usually keep the story brief, but I will add a few more details here.

I was a troubled youth. It was no fault of my parents. I was blessed to grow up in a loving and happy home. Frankly, the more I have reflected on my youth, the more I see that my rebellion was simply a product of my sinful nature. I could point to a time in high school when a teacher had some other students beat me up several times while he watched, because I wouldn’t go out for a team he coached. Yes, it was traumatic, but if I’m honest with myself, I know that my rebellion preceded those events.

I dropped out of church when I was twelve. My parents probably should have pushed me more to get back in, but, again, it was really no one’s fault but my own.

I found a great outlet in high school football. I wasn’t a superstar, but I wasn’t bad either. And it was on my first football team that I met Coach Joe Hendrickson. He called me into his office one day and just started sharing the gospel with me. I still recall how natural it was for him.

He told me how all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He told me that no one can get to heaven outside of Jesus Christ. He told me how to repent and place my faith in Christ. Though his words were serious and heartfelt, they were also calm and assuring.

That night I made a decision. I repented of my sins and trusted Christ to be my Savior. I was born again.

That’s it. That’s my story.

Over the years as I have told my story, I often add specific verses, such as Romans 3:23 and John 14:6. If time allows, I might go into more detail about my rebellious years and my relationship with Coach Joe. But I can also tell an abbreviated version of my story in a couple of minutes.

I have been gratified by how many people remember my story. I give glory to God for those who heard my story and became followers of Christ.

I give thanks to God for saving me and for giving me a story. It’s all about him.

THE POWER OF YOUR STORY

If you are a believer in Christ, you have a story. Here on Day 26, the action step is for you to put together the elements of your story. Don’t be intimidated by the process. Most of the time when someone asks us to tell them something about ourselves, we talk about our family or our vocation. We should also be ready to tell our spiritual story. We must be ready to explain how we came to faith in Jesus.

First, recall a time when you were not a believer. In a recent conversation with my son Jess, I asked him about his story. He became a Christian at a young age, something that is not unusual when you grow up in a Christian home. But he remembered a time when he realized that he had done something in rebellion against God. He knew he was a sinner, though he may not have articulated it that way.

Second, Jess has only vague memories of a schoolteacher sharing the gospel with him. Nellie Jo and I have to remind him of the teacher’s name. He also remembers praying a prayer of repentance and placing his faith in Christ. Even though the details are vague, it’s his story. Though he believes beyond any doubt that he became a believer then, he has learned more deeply about what it means to follow Christ as he has grown in spiritual maturity.

I have heard dramatic stories of rebellion and salvation that are nothing like Jess’s story. I have listened to people who committed horrendous crimes, who were addicted to drugs almost to the point of death, and who had multiple failed marriages. Their stories have more drama. They are clearer to recall. Those are their stories.

Can you articulate how you heard the gospel? If someone asks, will you be able to share with someone how you moved from an unrepentant sinner to a child of God? What is your story?

If you have not already done so, start putting your salvation story together. Write it in outline form or write it verbatim if that helps. Just be ready to share your story. God will give you the opportunity to tell it.

WRAPPING OUR MINDS AROUND 1 Peter 3:15

Peter wrote a letter to believers to prepare them for adversity and even persecution. He told them not to worry or be afraid about the threats they might face. Then he wrote these words: “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15).

First, Peter told the church to remain focused on Christ and to make their lives holy. Second, when others see that your life is different and kind and loving, be ready to explain why you do what you do and why you say what you say.

In other words, be ready to tell your story.

I love the three major parts of that single verse. It is first an admonition to live a holy life so that others will see Christ in us. It’s not a life of perfection, but a life that seeks to be closer to Jesus. Next, Peter tells us to be expectant that people would ask us about our faith. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 9:37-38 that there is a huge harvest field waiting for people like you who will gladly tell their story.

Finally, Peter tells us we must have our story ready: “Always be ready to explain it.” Those words are powerful. It is one of those Great Commission imperatives that is often overlooked. Yes, we are to make disciples. Yes, we are to go into the harvest fields. And yes, we must always be ready to explain where and how we gained our hope as believers.

By the way, Peter rightly presumes that others will ask us about our hope in Christ. We need to understand his words clearly. If we walk with Christ, and if we make ourselves available to share the Good News with others, God will put people in our paths.

As you grow as a Great Commission Christian, you will be amazed at how many times you have an opportunity to share the gospel and tell your story. Most people love to hear a good story. You have the greatest story. You once were blind, but now you see. You once were lost, but now you are found.

Get ready to tell your story. Countless people are waiting.

I have already prayed for you.