Share your story.
Really, friend, share. your. story. You have no idea who needs to hear what God has done for you.
And, here’s why:
In the third chapter of Acts, the Bible tells us of a man who was crippled at birth. Throughout the chapter, we learn this man sat daily at the gate of the temple asking for alms. In other words, he begged.
Day after day, the man sat at the gate hoping someone — anyone — would have compassion on him that day and offer him some sort of help. Either, money, food, or maybe even shelter.
If he sat in the same spot on the regular, it is pretty safe to say the area that he sat in was a high traffic area. It’s also pretty safe to say the man was a familiar fixture at the gates of the temple.
The people knew him.
The Lame Man in Acts 3
Later on in the chapter, Peter and John, disciples that were directly with Jesus, walk by the man, who never missing an opportunity to ask for help, asked alms of John and Peter.
But, they didn’t give him money. They didn’t even offer the man food. In the eyes of the cripple man, these two passersby were complete duds. He had already probably put them on the “Don’t Ask Again” list.
Instead, Peter and John offered the man hope and healing. All the man had to do was rise up and walk in the name of Jesus.
Guess who rose up and walked?
Share your story.
The People Knew His Story
There’s one particular verse in Chapter 3 of Acts that really stands out to me in reference to the lame man who was healed.
That verse is Acts 3:10 which says,
“And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which happened unto him.”
Those people in the temple knew the lame man. They knew he was crippled from birth and couldn’t walk. And, they knew he asked for alms daily.
They knew his story.
Maybe the knew him to be just another beggar in dirty rags. Maybe, they knew his sin. Or, maybe, they knew his shame.
Even still, they knew his part of his story.
Tell Your Story, Too
Knowing the beginning of his story is exactly why they were filled with wonder and amazement when they learned what happened to him through the goodness of the Lord.
Share your story.
Sure, friend, your story might be messy. It might be speckled with shame or littered with sin. Maybe you’re not proud of your past or where you came from.
But, if you’ve been redeemed by the Lord, share your story anyway.
The world needs to hear your story of redemption, grace, and purpose.
And YOU need to be the one telling it. No one, and I mean, no one, can tell what Jesus has done for you better than you.
So, friend, share your story. The icky parts. The dark parts. And, of course, the good parts. I guarantee whoever hears it will be filled with wonder and amazement, too.
And, who knows?
Your story of grace might just be the spark someone needs to see the Light.
Shine bright.
P.S. I want to share with you something really, really cool! If you like art, one easy way to share about the Lord with your friends is these watercolor products by Emily Lex. Emily Lex, an artist, uses her talents and passions to serve others and share her heart. Much of Emily’s art reflects the truth found in the Word. I especially like the “truth for today” scripture cards. Want to know why? Because you can easily share those with others for encouragement! Check out Emily Lex’s products (and, hint: if you like watercolor painting, but don’t know where to start, she has workbooks for you, too!).
P.P.S FrontGate Media and Emily Lex are also sponsoring a giveaway! Click the link here for details.
Thoughts?