What Is Your Story?

Look around! Non-Christian people surround you. How can you reach them? One way is by being real. In today’s world we have reality TV, which looks into the real lives of other people, is a huge trend right now. It’s popular because our generation doesn’t want second-hand or made-up stories. We want reality! That’s why one of the most powerful ways to influence other people towards God is simply to tell them how you came to know the Lord, and what he has done in your life since then. Even the most unbelieving friends may listen when you just tell it all hang out!

Paul tells his God-story to some unbelievers. What can we learn from him? Firstly, to tell people a little about the way our lives were before we became Christians. Verses 1-5 of Acts 22, the bible says, ¹ “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” ² When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: ³ “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.⁴ I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵ as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

Secondly, to explain the events that led up to our becoming followers of Jesus which is found in Acts 22:6-11 and finally, to tell them how our lives have changed since then. Acts 22:12-16. Never feel like your experience of God is not radical enough. Some people, like Paul met God powerfully, but most of us meet him less dramatically.

Just tell your story, people will connect with it if it’s real. Keep it simple, and let the focus shift from your life to God’s grace. Remember, though, that if your life hasn’t begun to show the change, people will probably ignore what you have to say! Practice telling your God-story by writing down or by telling a Christian friend. Ask yourself: What happened to change it? What’s my life like now? Then step out and ask God for an opportunity to tell someone.