The Power of a Story

The Power of a Story

Dr. Paul Brand was speaking to a medical college in India on “Let your light shine before men that they may behold your good works and glorify your Father.”  In front of the lectern was an oil lamp with its cotton wick burning from the shallow dish of oil.  As he preached, the lamp ran out of oil, the wick burned dry, and the smoke made him cough.  He immediately used the opportunity.  “Some of us here are like this wick.  We’re trying to shine for the glory of God, but we stink.  That’s what happens when we use the fuel of ourselves for our witness rather than the Holy Spirit.  Wicks can last indefinitely, burning brightly and without irritating smoke, if the fuel of the Holy Spirit is in constant supply.”

I’m grateful for Dr. Brand’s story and inspired illustration of the oil lamp.  We are called to let the light of God’s love shine forth from us, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that people would be forever touched and glorify God.  One of the ways our light touches others is by sharing with them the difference our Lord has made in our lives.  We can do this through our actions, praying for them or sharing our experience of Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I love to hear people’s testimony of how God has moved in their lives.  These stories are often inspiring, insightful and deeply moving.  Some of the most significant progress on my spiritual journey has come after hearing someone’s tale of temptation, illness or last chance and how God delivered them.   

       God uses sacred stories to bring us closer to Him & one another

I’m excited to share with you that “The Hope that is in Us”, a collection of people’s testimonies from St. John’s and other, is going to print.  This inspiring work is full of hope.  I’ll let you know when it’s available for purchase and trust many of you will buy one for yourselves and others.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the story tellers who will inspire us, Connie Pickney and Colleen Spangler for their hard work to make this dream a reality, and Ann Witmer for making individual stories available at www.stjohnsnaples.com under “Inspirations.”

Celebrating God’s Story in Your Life!