As a teenager in my local church, there were times I would lead the singing in the worship service. Today, we call it worship leading, but back in the day, it was leading the singing. That was in the sixties, so the time of worship choruses like we sing today were not on the scene. It was good old hymns. While I love much of today’s modern music, I do miss the richness of some of those hymns.
In my spirit today, the hymn “I Love To Tell The Story” began to bubble up. I found myself singing it and loving every word.
I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory,
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story,
Because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
of Jesus and His love
Do you love to tell the story? I do.
I love to tell the story of the things Jesus has done in my life. I love to tell the story of Jesus finding a messed up little girl who lived in the deep south. After so much abuse, poverty, and dysfunction, Jesus found me, and over time He has healed me and set my feet on a solid rock. I love to tell the story!
I love to tell the story of the work of Jesus in my life. When I felt called to stand before people to share the Word of God, I explained to God how it would never work. I was too shy. I was too insecure. Oh, how I love to tell the story of Jesus empowering me to stand before many groups, both large and small, and share the powerful word of God. I love to tell the story!
I love to tell the story of my teenage son who was facing cancer. We had just moved to a new city and within a few months, we would be battling cancer. After surgery and months of therapy, our son was well, or so we thought. After new scans, a new tumor showed up in the very same spot where the original tumor was. The doctor said, “We will need to do surgery again and treat it more aggressively.” We took it to the Lord in prayer. I love to tell the story that Bryan went back for that second surgery, and the doctor was amazed that the tumor was benign. Bryan never had another cancer cell in his body. I love to tell the story of the great healer!
I love to tell the story of our pastor friends who desperately needed a new sanctuary but did not have the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed. They did not let that stop them from telling the story of Jesus and His love. Each week, they would conduct an outreach to the homeless. Each week, they fed the homeless, clothed the homeless, and told the story of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. One of the homeless men grasped the story of Jesus and His love. That man gave His life to Jesus Christ. He was transformed. A few weeks later the man showed up at the church for worship. He looked like a different person. After the service, he asked the pastor if he could speak with him. As they conversed, the man told the story of how Jesus had changed his life. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a check for one million dollars. No one knew that the man was very wealthy, but life had dealt him blows that caused him to wind up on skid row. Someone told him the story of Jesus and His love. That changed his life and provided the money needed for the new building. I love to tell the story of Jehovah Jireh, the great provider!
Friend, I could go on and on with this blog because I love to tell the story of Jesus and His love. How about you? Do you love to tell the story?
We hear so many sad stories in the news and elsewhere. People need a good news story. Has Jesus saved you, healed you, provided for you, opened doors for you, changed circumstances for you, or made a way? Tell the story!
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3.