This is My Story, This is My Song!
This is my story, This is my song!
Paul was writing to his young friend and helper Timothy and today he decides to tell his story- what God had done in his life. We all have a ‘story’ don’t we? Apologist and evangelist J John says that as God’s children we should share that story with at least one person every day.
In 1 Timothy, Paul tells his story in 3 parts. He explains:
Where he was before he met Jesus
The benevolence of Jesus and the attributes of God
Where he is now after he met Jesus
This was Paul’s story and by learning it we know how we can tell our story.
1.Where he was before he met Jesus:
Paul describes himself as a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man who acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Though I grew up in a loving Christian home where my parents modeled the kindness and generosity of Jesus, that did not automatically make me Godly.
I am afraid I was not a kind friend, a caring daughter or a humble coworker in my early days. I was blessed beyond measure, but it took Jesus’ touch to appreciate it and understand that I was saved to serve.
What words would describe the “before you met Jesus” you?
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.”
-Colossians 1:21
Paul writes describing the Colossians but it could well describe each of us before we meet the LORD.
2.The benevolence of Jesus and the attributes of God.
Paul says he was shown mercy, given abundant grace which poured on him along with faith, love and strength.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.”
-1 Timothy 1 :15b
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God – he says of his God to whom he attributes all glory and honor for ever and ever.
My parent’s intentional parenting and prayers led me to meet Jesus and be cleansed.
Colossians 1:22 says we are reconciled to God because of Jesus’ physical death.
“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”
-Colossians 1:22
These words from a hymn I sing often, say it best.
“My chains fell off,
My heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee”
-And Can It Be That I Should Gain by Charles Wesley
When I walk in the Reserve behind our house, I remind myself that the Maker of heaven and earth is my help. (Psalm 121)
I love this verse, I often say it out aloud.
“Lord God Almighty,
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
The one who was, the one who is and the one who is to come.”
-Revelation 1:8
It was the Lord who turned my mess into a message. He changed my heart as only He could. When life looks scary, remind yourself that God is already in your tomorrow.
3.Where he is now- cleansed, forgiven and free!
Paul seems to echo the words of the blind song writer Fanny Crosby as she sings
“This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior, all the day long
Perfect submission, All is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest”
-Blessed Assurance by Fanny Crosby
You can listen to the whole song here and make it your prayer:
We are indeed now, holy in God’s sight, without blemish, free from blemish and reconciled to God. ( Colossians 1:22)
If I have to choose verses to describe my life now, I would choose these:
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
-2 Corinthians 9:8
2 Corinthians 9:8 says that God gives me all the grace I need for any role I have to play and any situation I have to face.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 1:6
In Philippians 1:6 we read that what God has started in me, He will complete.
“For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”
-Acts 17:28
Acts 17:28 affirms that in Him I live and move and have my being.
What is your story and with whom would you share it today?