You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts… –2 Corinthians 3:2
Each of us has a life story. Our stories include all of our experiences and all of the people who have been a part of our lives. Certainly, along the pages of our lives, there are people who for better or for worse, have had a significant influence on us.
Like all stories, the pages that make up our lives are not just meant to be written, but to be read by others. The life and art of Christ-following is passed on, down the line, from person to person, from generation to generation. Discipleship is founded upon the content of the Bible. Yet, the application of that content is experienced in the trenches of everyday living. Someone has talked to you and shared the story of their life and how Jesus is a part of it. Others have actively role modeled the Christian life to you.
The Apostle Paul said, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Paul demonstrated that it is through our lives that the truth of the Gospel is made known to others, even as it has been made known to us.
While the stories of our lives are still being written, we are called to share them and invite others to become a part of what God is doing in our lives and world. We are called to role model Christ-following to others– to the people who make up your world, to your friends, to your sons and your daughters, to those in your community, and to other Christians in your church.
Take a look. There are people all around you, some believers and some who are not believers yet, who are looking for authentic relationships and for what it means to live as a Christian. Through your friendship, you can be a tool in the hand of God to make an eternal difference in the life of someone else, to become part of the story of their lives, even as others are part of your own.
None of us has it all together in terms of our Christian life and none of us will, this side of heaven. The good news is that this is okay. God is still at work in our lives, in spite of all our weaknesses and wants to use us in the life of someone else. He just needs our willingness to share our lives with others.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who do you know that might benefit from you sharing your life with them?
2. What keeps you from sharing your life and life story with others?
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 3:1-3; 5:11-21; Philippians 2:13