Have you ever been moved to tears? Maybe it was a scene in a movie. Probably not “The Avengers,” but maybe some other touching kind of moment, in some other kind of movie, that someone might watch, sometime. Are you ever moved to tears during worship? Perhaps during one of our “Storylines” videos? (You can see them here.)
Sometimes I am moved to tears as I read people’s stories before baptisms. The way God moves in lives and brings people to himself fills me with wonder and amazement and joy! Paul knew all about this for himself and for others. He speaks of it in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Is this a description of what God has done in your life?
“… the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Paul notes that God’s grace overcame whatever he had filled his life with. God’s mercy overcomes our sin! But it doesn’t end there. God has a purpose every time he saves someone. It is so he can show, just like with Paul, “…his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” Your story is an example of God’s grace! It is a template, a pattern for someone else to follow.
Maybe you never thought of your life as something that brings honour and glory to the immortal, invisible God. But God thinks it does. It might not move someone to tears, but it might move them to God!
Here is a great idea. Write out your story in a way you can share with someone else over a coffee – maybe in five minutes. Write it in a way you can share on an elevator ride – maybe in one minute or less. Finally, write out or record a storyline of God’s work in your life, that someone could read or listen to in twenty minutes to half an hour. A friend just shared one he made of his life story with me. Yup – tears!
Of course, the end point is to share your story. For God’s glory! For someone’s salvation! Why not post your one-minute version here? Go ahead – make me cry!
Roger