The Hidden Stories Pointing Us Toward Home

Jun 16

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Matthew 16: 25-26

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters–yes, even their own life–such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

We were created by God, and so, from our very beginning, we were with God. Our life’s stories show how we depart from Him and return to the true story we’ve always known.

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Dear one, it is so good you are here. Set down everything you are holding and take a deep breath. Then another.

Close your eyes and imagine Jesus with you now. Hold out your hands to him (physically or in your imagination). Breathe slowly and deeply as you invite him into your heart now. Give him every thought, every worry, every concern. Tell him how you are feeling now; tell him what is on your mind:

Jesus, I give you _______________________

Jesus, I feel ___________________________

What we will do next is consider how our personal life stories shape our relationship with Jesus. As we mature and become more like children in our trusting and loving of God–with simplicity and faith and courage–we engage in the practice of remembering whom we have always been–before sin, before separation from Love. Some of our stories underscore our connection with–and belonging to–God, and some underscore our resistance to alignment with him.

What stories (personal life experiences) reveal my underlying motivations, values, and decision-making processes regarding work and relationships and time? What stories reveal my beliefs about freedom and hope vs. frustration and fear?

Once we’ve allowed Holy Spirit (who is in us) access to these stories, He can help us investigate which stories are true and which are false. True stories underscore our true identity in Christ. False stories underscore unhealthy self-perceptions that Jesus is inviting us to let go. Every story can be a returning to the love we’ve always known but, in various ways and degrees, forgotten.

The invitation for us is always this: partner with Holy Spirit and re-discover what (and who) we have always been. For, once our false stories are removed and rewritten–and our souls realigned with Christ, connected and whole, He will show us the truth–and the way back Home.

So, let’s invite in Holy Spirit and make a list–with doodles, small (or large!) pictures, diagrams, and/or words to list the stories that illustrate pivotal moments of our turning to–and from–God. Fill the page (or pages) in your journal with drawings and/or words.

What is Jesus inviting you to remember about yourself–moments as a child, a teenager, an adult–that reveal a truth about who he says you really are?

Trust God to speak to your heart now (remember Holy Spirit is in you!), helping you remember moments when you run to–or away from–Home.