We all have a story and as the story of our life unfolds it will intersect with the stories of others. Stories matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in 1846, James Caughey visited a little church in Nottingham as guest speaker. He talked about God\u2019s desire that we develop the character of a servant, help the poor and share our faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One particular bloke sitting in the congregation had been drifting in his faith. God spoke to him that night and his story changed. That young man was William Booth and the movement he founded was the Salvation Army, which today is an international movement sharing the gospel and meeting human need in the most deprived situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few things struck me about that story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Firstly, there\u2019s a challenge to Faithfulness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n James Caughey was a Methodist minister who faithfully followed God\u2019s call to move to England, not knowing what might lie ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Secondly, there\u2019s a challenge to show up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n He was faithful and wasn\u2019t bothered about fame or profile or preaching to large audiences. He was happy to show up at a small gathering and share what God had put on his heart. He had no idea of how his words might impact another\u2019s life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Thirdly, there\u2019s a challenge to serve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n He presented a challenge not just for folks to turn to God in faith, but called them to action to serve a needy world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Luke 22:32 Jesus says \u2018I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jame\u2019s Coughey\u2019s faithfulness intersected with William Booth\u2019s shaky faith. God spoke and the story changed. Booth turned back and found a way to strengthen others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all have a story, and our stories matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Photo by Claudia M. Lopes<\/a> from FreeImages<\/a><\/p>\n