Stories and Hope
Today’s Scriptures: John 1:12, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 3:15
Movement 1: Your Story
Read and meditate:
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 NIV
Reflect:
You have a testimony - a personal account of your faith and your relationship with God. Your story highlights events and people God orchestrated to draw you to Him. Isn’t it beautiful? The God of the Universe wrote out a story (and He is still writing it!) specifically with you in mind - one that casts Him as the main character and you as the supporting character. And the entire story is about how He has been and continues to draw you to Himself. Think about your testimony, your salvation story. How has He drawn you to Himself over the years? When did you surrender your life to Jesus? What did life look like before and after that?
Pray:
Thank God for your specific story and that He gave you the right to become His child.
Movement 2: Identity and Purpose
Read and meditate:
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
Reflect:
In the first part of the story, God drew you to Himself, invited you into His family, and adopted you when you accepted Him. He chose you. Then, the plot thickened, and He began to speak into your identity. Royal priest/priestess... a holy nation... His very own possession. What a blessing to know our identity rests in who He says we are. Then He began to speak into your purpose. Sharing the story about how God called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light... watching your story reveal the goodness of God to those around you. We are His ambassadors.
Listening prayer:
Ask God who He says you are. Listen to His answer.
Ask God who He has in mind for you to share part or all of your story. Ask Him to give you a name or face.
Ask God what part of your story He wrote to connect you with that person specifically.
Movement 3: The Reason for the Hope
Read and meditate:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Reflect:
In the second part of your story, God began to speak into your identity and purpose. He reminds us that He chose us, we belong to Him, and He wants to speak through our stories to reveal His goodness to those around us. When He does this, people become intrigued. They hear hints of hope in our story, and that draws them towards God. They begin to ask questions and receive answers with gentleness and respect. And so the beautiful cycle of movement of the Spirit begins again...
Pray:
Pray specifically for the names/faces God showed you in Movement 2. Pray for their hearts to be softened toward the Spirit and His movement in their lives. Ask Him to draw them towards Himself through your story. Pray for opportunities to share part of your story and God’s story with them. Pray for opportunities to share the reason for the hope you have with gentleness and respect.