Many have collected their stories, and maybe we should, too!

By Dean Collins

Throughout the centuries many people have felt it important to document their stories. We can be thankful that historians, scholars, and leaders in business, government, and the church have taken time to record what they have seen and heard for our benefit. Best of all, we find in the Bible examples of God directing regular folks like you and me to write down what he showed them, told them, and led them through.

As a therapist, I often gave homework to clients that included journaling. Putting thoughts and feelings on paper can be a useful tool to gain perspective, get out feelings, and gain insight. Some people are naturally inclined to keep a journal or diary for personal reflection, and some keep journals for posterity with the hope that their life’s journey helps children and grandchildren and reminds others of how much they loved and worked for the benefit of family and friends.

And then the Internet came along, and millions rushed to create a public view of their thoughts and experiences in blogs. Some do this occasionally and some even daily. Unfortunately, many do this through Twitter and other platforms to share impulsive thoughts and significant misinformation.

If you are a regular reader of my posts, you know all I have to offer is a daily reading of Scripture along with what I hope to be helpful devotional writing. My purpose is to move others and myself closer to God so that all of us can faithfully follow him.

Luke wrote, and we’re glad

We owe much to Doctor Luke who decided to compile a narrative for us about Jesus and his followers. We actually don’t know much about Luke other than he traveled with Paul, was a good friend to Paul, was a doctor, and at some point become a follower of Jesus, but not until Jesus had ascended back to Heaven.

Luke wrote a little over one-fourth of the New Testament. While Paul wrote more books, Luke’s two large volumes give us both the story of Jesus and the story of his followers in the book of Acts. We have received both inspiration and knowledge about Jesus and his advancing kingdom because Luke took on the assignment of collecting stories about Jesus and his followers to help his friend Theophilus be certain about the things he had been taught about Jesus.

We can write, and that will help others

Luke’s comments make me wonder what role you and I have in compiling a narrative of the things God has done among us—in our lives, our families, our businesses, our church, our jobs, and in the world as we have experienced it. It may not be necessary for everyone to write an autobiography of their faith journey. But on the other hand, the Scripture is rich in instructions that we do bear a weight of responsibility concerning those who come behind us. Both in the Old Testament and New Testament, there are instructions about older men and women passing down their wisdom to help the next generation.

I never knew any of my grandparents, yet it has been very helpful for me to hear the bits and pieces of their stories. I have in my possession a worn and torn old Bible my grandfather owned. I don’t know how often he read it, but its condition makes it clear that someone did. Just last summer I saw a handwritten note from his great grandmother who on her bed in her last days confessed Jesus as Lord. Seeing that one sentence in writing brings me encouragement and a sense of the story God was writing in my family long ago.

When I started my daily devotional writing, it was for my children and grandchildren. I suppose it still is. Many of you have come along for the ride, following and reading these devotionals. Thank you for reading and for the occasional texts, emails, and phone calls of encouragement you give me. But I want you to consider what you can do to ensure that your children and grandchildren know of your love for Jesus, his Word, and your commitment to follow him until you meet him face-to-face.

Maybe our role is simply to find places and times to tell our personal and spiritual stories. The next generation needs to hear that there is a way forward and that it is filled with hope.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Simon Abrams on Unsplash

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