As I sit here writing out my story over the last few months, I have come to realize more and more the power of your story. You see we all have a story to tell, we just have to find the place we are going to tell it. My way may not be your way and that is fine but you do need to one day tell your story. Your story matters to God and it will matter to the world.
Will your story of sin and heartache make some people judge you? Of course it will because no matter what we do in life, we are going to be judged but the great thing it will do is touch people’s lives. You see, many times you have people searching for an answer and then God leads them to your story and BAM a connection is made. This is how God works.
You are looking to change the world, you are just looking to change the people that God wants you to help with. God wants people to be open and authentic as they can be so when he brings people to read about them or create a friendship with them they find that connection they have been looking for.
God is wanting to use you to help change people and by doing that you are on the path to his vision for your life. I honestly don’t believe you can call a vision you have “God’s Vision for you” if it doesn’t involve his people. Everywhere you look in the bible it was all about relationships and people. God uses people to help other people see things they normally don’t see.
One person may look at your story as disgust but another person may say WOW that is me. I can so relate to that story. Why do you think Jesus talked in parables to much? It was because that we as humans can relate to stories. We are wired to get emotional over stories. We are wired to find common ground with people. Stories do this. Your story is that powerful.
Here is what I have been preaching to people because I think it will change how you think and also change your life. I don’t care if you only take 30 minutes a day but I recommend that you start each day writing your story out. This has nothing to do with you writing a book because that part doesn’t matter. I think this will change your life whether you are writing a book or not.
Also set a goal to write at least 50,000 words. What this does is, it makes you not miss a thing in order to reach that 50,000 words. If you don’t have a word goal then you will skim your life and only write what you feel like and you won’t touch the parts that God wants you to write out. You want to start someone in your early years because you will see many connections to where you are today if you do this. Even if it takes you several months to write out your story, that is OK!
Writing your story out does several things. One is you never know where God will lead you and if you are talking to someone your past will be fresh in your mind that you can say something that may help someone. Two, it will help you organize your life so if you ever write a book or tell your story you will already have it ready. All you will have to do is change a few things to fit the situation you are in. Third, and I think this is the most important, it will give you many ah-ha moments as you write and remember things.
Writing your story out will change your life. I can almost guarantee you if you allow it to change who you are. Your story matters to who you are today which will help you make new decisions on who you want to be in the future.
When you are writing your story, soak in what it is that you need to because there are going to be some very painful parts but write them anyway. There are going to be some happy parts and it will be a breeze for ou to get through. There will be many ups and downs and you will feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster but I am telling you when you get through this process, it will be so worth it. You may have to even fight through some demons through this process but that is ok because God is with you. Open your heart and mind to this writing and just start writing it out.
I wish you much success in writing your story. I am already 50,000 words into writing mine which I did that in the first 30 days and I believe that I have at least 30,000 more words to go. I started Dev 26th, 2015 but after 30 days have taken 2 months break and now about to write the story so I can finish it in April! I had no idea I would be writing this much but it has changed me in more way than I can tell you. Through my story I have found me and I promise through your story you will find you!
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris Benton