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Dearly Beloved,
"Once upon a time..."
Those four words have a way of capturing our attention. They invite us into a story. And stories have power. They connect us, they challenge us, they remind us where we've come from, and they help us imagine where we're going.
The truth is, every one of us has a story. Whether we realize it or not, we're living one right now. As followers of Jesus, we all have a story of His grace at work in our lives. Some stories are dramatic. Others seem wonderfully ordinary. But every story that points to Jesus is worth telling because God delights in using ordinary people to reveal His extraordinary goodness.
This week, I asked one of the boys in our kids ministry to tell me his story with Jesus.
One of the things we deeply believe at CPC is that there is no junior Holy Spirit. Children don't receive a smaller portion of God's grace or presence. They receive Him fully. Jesus is just as able to transform the heart of a child as He is an adult. Rowan has experienced that firsthand, and his story is a beautiful reminder of the impact a family can have as a child's faith begins to grow.
Describe the moment you decided to follow Jesus.
"I was six years old. We were sitting around the dinner table in our old house in Victoria after supper, and we were doing a family devotion. I was asking lots of questions about Jesus. As I learned more, I decided right then that I wanted to follow Him. I've never doubted that decision. My Mom and Dad helped me understand the things that were confusing, and they taught me that God loves me forever and ever."
Who has been a positive role model of what following Jesus looks like?
"My Mom and Dad have been great examples of what it means to follow Jesus. When they pray and read the Bible, you can tell they're really in a relationship with Jesus. Watching them makes me know that Jesus really is who He says He is."
If you could only use one sentence to tell someone about Jesus, what would you say?
"Come to church on Sunday at 9:00. It changed my life, and it can change yours. Jesus is all-powerful. He is always there to help, especially when I'm scared, lonely, or hurt. If you believe in Him, you'll have everlasting life."
And here's the part that surprised me most.
Following Rowan’s story, his dad sent me this message:
"The cool thing is we were sitting on the couch talking about it afterwards, and Rowan’s sister started asking questions. She decided she wants to follow Jesus too! There you go—testimonies actually work! Praise Jesus!"
I love that.
One child's story became his sister's invitation to know Jesus.
That's the power of a testimony.
Sometimes we think our story isn't exciting enough. We wish it were more dramatic, more miraculous, or more impressive. But God has never asked us to have an extraordinary story. He simply asks us to faithfully tell the story He has been writing in our lives.
The question isn't whether you have a story.
The question is whether you'll tell it.
Maybe your story began around a dinner table like Rowan's. Maybe it began at a summer camp, in a church service, through a conversation with a friend, or in the quiet of your own room. However it began, if Jesus has changed your life, then your story has the power to point someone else to Him.
Someone in your life needs to hear what Jesus has done for you. Not because your story is perfect, but because your Saviour is.
So be strong and courageous this week.
Tell your story.
Invite someone into it.
Share what Jesus has done.
You never know whose story God is about to begin through your willingness to speak.
Someone else's "Once upon a time" may begin with your willingness to share yours.
And if you forget everything else, I pray that today you remember the incredible truth that begins all our stories. One that Rowan has never forgotten:
“God loves you forever and ever.”
God bless you,
Pastor Garrett
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