Tell the important story of
small faith experiences

By Deb Youngblood
First UMC, Falfurrias; First UMC, Premont; and El Buen Pastor UMC
We took the grandchildren to see Spiderman III while they were here visiting. Afterwards, we talked about the symbolism in the movie—and there is a lot.
Beware: Some of it just might turn up in a sermon.
One of the things I noticed, though, was how comfortable we all were talking about the movie and sharing what we saw in it with others. When I recognized it, I was sort of dumb-struck. (Right. That doesn’t happen often!) But there it was, the example of how we are to witness about our experience of God and our knowledge of God’s love for us. Just tell your story.
Some of you have shared with me that you just don’t quite know what to say when confronted with the opportunity to witness.
I don’t think you have to worry about getting it 100 percent right. It is more important for you to just tell your story. God will give you the words, and God will open the hearts of those who hear. The more you tell your story, the easier it gets. Just tell your story.
Another thing I have heard is that some of you believe you really don’t have much to share because you have not had a momentous conversion experience or anything like that.
That’s OK, too. So often we come to faith because of many small experiences that grow and mature us. Recall the many times you have found wisdom in the Holy Scriptures. Remember the people who taught you, who loved you, who helped strengthen and refine your faith.
Christ was present in those nurturing experiences: in the kindnesses done, in the words of wisdom, in the calm and peace that someone else shared.
Some of these occurred in Bible study or worship, others during quiet talks with a friend and still others as you just lived life. You have been blessed with a multitude of such experiences, and so many others need to hear about them. When you claim Christ’s presence, you set the example for those who don’t know how to name and claim Christ’s presence with them. Just tell your story.
Will you ever be able to share your experiences of God with the same ease that we share the life lessons we discover in our favorite movies?
I find myself both hoping so and hoping not. We want to be able to share our experiences of God with a certain amount of ease, but we never want to lose sight of how incredible it is that the God who created us continues to walk with us, talk to us, teach us and comfort us by the power of the Holy Spirit. While I want us all to be confident enough to tell our stories, let us always be grateful and awe-filled.
“... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “ Acts 1:8