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I consider myself to be a practiced storyteller, or at least an unbiased recorder of happenings. Between my journalistic training and my sentimental, creative side I should be able to share information without much effort at all. I love word crafting, I love to talk and I love to share positive experiences, so why am I not better at telling the story of Christ and sharing my testimony?

This question has haunted me for some time. I think of all the old hymns about telling "the story of Jesus" and of all the times I have delighted in sharing Him with a preschool class on Sunday morning or a group of teens on a week-long retreat or coaching my bible bowl team to understand and cherish the words in their hearts rather than just memorize them for competition, and I wonder why I don't do this in my daily life.

My witness has become stronger over the last few years, but I still don't voice enough of what God has done for me. I don't think God gave me the personality to walk around quoting scripture constantly and shouting "Jesus Saves" on the street corners. (I have met some people who do have this gift and some use it effectively and others tend to alienate.) I do know that God has allowed me to have life experiences which amount to a strong testimony for Him. I just don't always share it at the opportune moment.

Thinking about the qualities of a great storyteller, one thing that jumps out at me is that they must believe in the story. Now, it may be a fairy tale or a personal experience but the good storyteller believes in the truth contained in the story. Interestingly the truth behind most great stories is true love. Being a hopeless romantic this greatly appeals to me. Look at classic literature:

Cinderella: She gets the prince and the evil step people get nothing - true love wins.

The Grapes of Wrath: The family overcomes drought, starvation and poverty to survive, and maintains their compassion for their fellow man - true love wins.

Beowulf: The monster is defeated and the hero sacrifices his life - true love wins.

The Odyssey: The hero survives a long journey, defeats many evil beings, and returns home to a loyal family - true love wins.

Shakespeare: Well, there's not always a happy ending, but true love usually at least gets together.

Harry Potter: (Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, these are modern classics.) Harry helps defeat the evil wizard and he and his friends live happily ever after - true love wins.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The children, most of them, anyway, overcome temptations and obstacles and Aslan always returns - true love wins.

The Gospel: God gives us the greatest gift ever given, creating the greatest story ever told and we have the choice to accept it - true love wins!

Let's face it, we love happy endings - it's our human nature.

So, being the romantic and a sucker for a happy ending, why is it difficult for me to share the happy ending God offers? Am I afraid others will think Jesus is only a fairy tale? And what if they don't believe? Is it my job to convince them or only to share with them and provide an example of how one lives who has been redeemed by the blood of the risen Savior?

My effectiveness as a storyteller extends only as far as my example. I can tell all the "stories" I want about the wonder and might of God and His saving grace through Christ, but if I'm not a living example of one touched by that story, my testimony will be worthless and no one will "buy" my story.

Titus 2:7 admonishes, " In everything set them an example by doing what is good, in your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Fair Way