Pictured above: Andreas, Olga, Lilly & Richard Schmidt
An elderly actor was in a commercial. He was in a living room sitting in an easy chair, his variegated blue cardigan covered a cotton button down shirt and he looked spiffed up for the cameras. A little pug dog sat obediently in his lap.
For the life of me I don’t remember what was being advertised.
What I do remember is that on a bookshelf behind his chair were framed pictures of him as a younger man…climbing mountains, paddle boarding, skydiving, receiving a diploma of some sort. Pictures of family. Living an adventurous life that looked nothing like the aged person now sitting in that chair.
I realize it was a commercial but it settled over my heart like a little beacon, a flashing reminder to ask people more questions and talk less. To lean in when someone is sharing their life-stories instead of sitting back or rushing away.
the great deception
We are contributors, not spectators, in the divine narrative unfolding on the earth. Our stories are what connects us as believers to the God-work happening around the world.
The book of Revelation, chapter 12 tells us why sharing our stories matters so much.
Verse 9 & 12 tells us that Satan was thrown out of heaven and knows he doesn’t have much time to destroy the work of God’s hands so he is asserting all of his evil towards humanity. His name is Accuser. Deceiver. Thief. Liar.
The battle is fierce and Satan is unrelenting. Life can feel so hard sometimes and so we hide. We shut up. We cry out for an easy life with comforts that we hope will insulate us from pain. Our fickle hearts quickly turn to gods who have no power to heal or hear.
The evil one deceives us into thinking our silence will slow his attacks.
stories matter
Scripture tells us we have a weapon so powerful that it defeats every attack of the enemy. And if we wield it, Satan will not be able to silence us or diminish the name of Jesus.
The weapon: salvation and our testimony.
We utterly destroy the enemy’s power by simply sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives. He has no right to accuse us because the blood of the lamb now covers us. He has no ability to deceive us because we now depend on the absolute truth of scripture as our defense. He has no authority to steal from us because everything we have is the Father’s.
Your story matters.
what can we do
Are you wondering how to practice using this weapon?
- read the Word of God and develop a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ
- tell people about how God has worked and is working in your life
- ask questions that evoke deeper conversation with your family and friends so you can hear their stories and be encouraged
- maybe you’d like to write a memoir or someone’s biography as a testimony to the Lord’s faithfulness through some difficult time in life
- make a habit of linking stories you hear to the faithfulness and provision of God, it will encourage your heart
the things they left behind
Stories are powerful reminders of where we came from. They showcase lessons and reveal perseverance. They are reminders that we survived our very worst day and triumphed over our most hideous circumstances. We are overcomers, conqueror’s through the blood of the lamb.
If you’re in the mood for a great book may I recommend The Things They Left Behind? It is an exhilarating story. A testimony to God’s incredible faithfulness as World War II splintered the Schmidt family apart. It recounts how they learned some difficult lessons about humanity but chose to lean on the Lord as they grappled with unimaginable horror. Above all, they learned how to forgive and wield the weapon of their testimony so others could be encouraged.
You can make it yours right now by clicking the link below:
In Canada – The Things They Left Behind
In the US – The Things They Left Behind
I would be honored if you would leave a review on Amazon so that it becomes more visible to those who enjoy WW II biographies and stories of faith & hope.
In His arms,
Rhonda