“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”
(Jeremiah 1: 5)
Just recently, before the COVID19 had happened, I was at a church luncheon and I chose to sit at a table at which I knew nobody. The tables seated eight people and when all had sat down, one gentleman began the conversation with this thoughtful idea. He said we all have a story let us share our stories so we can relate to each other.
He was right. We all have a story, but sometimes sharing our stories can be painful. Sometimes we are ashamed of our stories and would prefer to have another that might impress others. Sometimes our stories are so sad sharing them would only add to our grief.
When God speaks to Jeremiah to tell him that he has chosen him to be a prophet and wants him to speak boldly to the Israelites, Jeremiah protests as he thinks who he is and his age (his story) will not be worthy of God, but God overrules him and tells him of course he knows Jeremiah’s story because he was the one who formed him, (Jeremiah 1: 5)
This is such a comfort to all of us who love the Lord. He knows all our stories. We don’t have to pretend to him how wonderful we are. We don’t have to pretend we are okay when we are broken hearted. We don’t have to be ashamed of what we have done, we can come to him and be forgiven and have a fresh start to a new fresh story and when it involves him actively, it takes on a new quite different path. One of joy and contentment about who we are, and the other exciting part is we join Jesus’ story.
The other joy of being forgiven, is the fact that our Heavenly Father wipes clean any pages in our story that we are ashamed of, we have a clean slate.
“…For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.” (Isaiah 65: 16)
Jesus has the most compelling story of all time and one that we need to constantly read so it is imprinted on our minds. We can share it with others and tell our children of the wonders of our Saviour. When I was a child growing up one of my favourite hymns was the one below
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Tell me the old., old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his Glory, of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child.
For I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled
Tell me the story slowly that I may take it in
That wonderful redemption God’s remedy for sin
Tell me the story often for I forget so soon.
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon
Tell me the old, old story.
God Speaking 
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