From: The Pastor’s Heart
Title: “Tell Your Story”
Last night I joined millions of viewers across the country and the world to watch
the much anticipated speech from former President Bill Clinton. Critics and supporters
alike were speculating what topics would be shared on the night his wife stepped into the
history books. Never before has a woman been nominated by a major United States
political party to be it’s nominee for the highest office in the land, so the spotlight was
brightly focused on what he would say. He stepped unto the mic and started the speech by
saying, “In the spring of 1971, I met a girl…”
Right then it was clear that his job was to simply tell her story. As I sat there I began
thinking about the many things we’ve heard about others and statements that others have
made about us. I began to wonder, of all the people I know, what percentage of what I
know about them is based in what I factually discovered for myself verses what others
have told me about them. Then I went further and asked myself what percentage of Jesus’
story do I know from what I’ve heard preached, verses what I’ve discovered through
obeying His word.
One of the things that’s always blessed me about Jesus’ earthly ministry, was His
commitment to spend time with people who truly wanted to know the truth of the
Kingdom of God. He was never too busy to stop and explain the true riches with the
masses and even at times with those who questioned His authority based solely on the
place of His birth. Remember when He spent time with the Samaritan woman at the well
(St. John 4) and how after their conversation she went back to the city and told everyone to
come see a man who told her of all she’d done? When the citizens of the town came
looking for Jesus, He took the time to share with them until they all believed and were
blessed by being in His company.
Well, you too have a story to tell about who you’ve become since you met Jesus.
You should take the time to share with others how much God has done for you and where
He’s brought you from. You should open up your heart and let people discover that even
during your times of error and failure, how your loving God still picked you up and gave
you an opportunity to be better going forward. Your testimony is major and will bless so
many lives, but it’s got to be shared.
I expected President Clinton to speak policies last night and I thought I even knew
what topics he’d cover, but to my pleasant surprise, he really just told a story. I think today
about some people in my life that I thought I knew but then when I looked closer, I
realized my knowledge of them was through the prism of somebody else’s eyes. Once I
got to know them for myself, it was completely different. I’m glad they took the time to tell
me their story – now let’s hear yours. Tell Your Story…I bet it’s a best seller!
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)