What is your story? We all have a story to tell. Yours will touch people that mine will not and mine will touch people that yours will not. There is so much power in your story. That is one reason why Jesus taught in stories or parables because of the power within them. We learn faster when there is a story behind it. We stay tuned into them because they are more interesting.
You may have went through many things in your life but that is what created you into the man or woman you are today. Your story matters. You just have to find a way to tell it. God wants to help us all share our stories so we can change lives. Stories change lives, period!
I went through 19 years on and off of addictions. It was really rough because I tried to quit so many times but I just could never completely stop. I would make it 6 months sober and then something would happen that would draw me right back to my addictions.
Just like when Sandy and I married, I finally was sober for a period of time but then 6 months after we married my mom passed away and then I got drawn right back to my addictions. Those lasted for 5 more years before I finally gave my addictions to Christ on Dec 26th, 2007. I have been completely sober ever since. It has now been almost 6 years years.
So what made the difference? The difference is that I finally had enough and gave my addictions fully over to God. I fully surrendered them to him. Was it hard? Of course but it was the best decision of my life. I now see life through a whole new light. God has taken my desire for drugs & alcohol completely away. I am so grateful for that.
Those 19 years are a part of my story. I have many stories within my story that I could share with people and over time I will share some of those. Would I change my past if I could? Not only would I not change it but I would be crazy if I did.
My past made me the man I am today. So many things had to fall into place for Sandy and I to meet and marry. If you change anything from my past, the odds are that not only would Sandy and I not be together but then Lil Chris would also not be here. Just thinking about that brings me to tears and makes me realize that I had to go through my past and all those addictions to get me where I am today.
This site more than likely would not be here as this is a part of our ministry to others. I know deep down everything that we are doing today, I would not be doing it if Sandy and I would not have married and my past was different.
So as you see with my life, it had to happen just like it did to get us here today just like your past had to happen to get you here today. So what is your story? By the way, even though you have a past story, your future story is completely unwritten. You can write your own future but you have to do with through Christ if you want a fulfilling life.
What are you wanting the dash on your tombstone to mean? There are two dates and a dash on every tombstone. The day you were born and the day you died but those dates mean nothing. The only thing that matters is the dash and what it represents. What does it mean to your life? How did you live in the dash?
Your story happens every minute that goes by. You are right now creating your story. The big question you have to ask yourself is are you creating a story that matters or are you just existing? Don’t waste your life because we all only have one life to live. Live your life doing what God called you to do. Fulfill your mission on earth so that the day will come that you hear from God “Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant”.
Those words will be magic to your ears. God wants the best for you and he wants to help you with your story. You need to start leaning on him so that he can guide you. Come back to him now so that your life will never be the same.
When people put you down for living radically for God, don’t worry about it as that is what happens when you are a fully committed Christ Follower. Its takes courage to make your story into a God-filled testimony. Are you up for the challenge? God is ready and able to change your life, you just have to fully surrender to him now!
Ask God to come back into your life. Ask him to guide you to where he wants your future to go. Ask him to give you the courage to follow where he leads as the path may be unknown to you. Ask him to give you the wisdom to know the difference between living a good life versus living a Godly life!
Be Inspired or Be Left Behind!
Chris Benton