The Power of Story
Nearly every parent has heard their child say, “Tell me a story.” Why is this? Why, in an age dominated by electronic devices and digital playthings, do our little ones desire something as simple as a story?
According to an article from National Geographic Magazine, it’s because stories are hardwired into our very biology. Our brains arrive filled with the cognitive machinery needed to comprehend stories and share them with others. Stories help us make sense of a confusing world.
Jonathan Gottschall writes, “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.”
Aleks Krotoski observes, “Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals, and moral compasses.”
Stories inform. Stories instruct. Stories inspire.
I found this to be, oh, so true this past week. I had lengthy conversations with three new pastoral contacts. And I came out of those discussions so encouraged. Why?
Because these men each told me their story. They told me how they got called into ministry. They told me how they ended up at their church. They told me the amazing things that God was doing.
And after these calls, I told Gwen, “Man! What a great day! In the midst of all the chaos and confusion, the Lord is moving powerfully.” The power of story was transformational for me.
What’s true in private conversations is no less true in public communication. Out of the hundreds of sermons I preached down through the years, I don’t know that my listeners remembered my main points. But to this day they can recall many of the stories I told.
Pastors would do well to understand that in this age of information overload, the ability to captivate people’s attention with a good story is an essential skill to develop to be heard in all the noise. People remember how stories make them feel and are more inspired to take action than if they just heard facts and figures.
Terry Pratchett put it so well: “People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around.”
Let the Redeemed Tell Their Story
Not surprisingly, the Bible recognizes this. Jesus certainly knew the power of story. That’s why He spoke in parables.
And the Apostle John says that our stories of God’s grace and love have great spiritual power. In Revelation 12:11 he writes that the people of God overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Is it any wonder that Psalm 107:2 urges us, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…”
The psalmist recognizes one of the greatest gifts believers can offer is their story. It may be the macro-story of how God made Himself real to them and drew them to Himself. Or it may be a micro-story of how God showed up in a significant way in the recent past.
In either case, the power of story can not only prove to be inspirational but transformational. For if God could do that then, He can do that now. If God could do that for them, He can do that for me.
This adds an evangelistic component to the power of story. People may deny your doctrine or doubt your theology. But it’s hard to dismiss a compelling story.
What’s your story? Who might you share it with?
Perhaps at your next family dinner or gathering of friends, you could take a few minutes to go around the table and invite each person to respond to a simple question, such as…
“When did you see God show up in a special way?”
Or…
“What is one thing you are especially thankful to God for; and what’s one specific memory you have of that thing?”
Give everyone a few minutes to collect their thoughts. Then, after each person offers their remarks, take a moment to affirm their words and encourage them to leverage them.
It needn’t take long. But it may well strengthen the family bond and deepen each other’s faith.
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