Let me tell you a story............

Here is a paradox for you.  We often find ourselves - that is, get to know ourselves better - through the stories of others.  A story about someone else often allows us to examine and consider qualities, decisions, actions of our own.  Stories can be mirrors - showing us ourselves at a safe distance.  We listen; we learn.

The key is to know a lot of stories....which is exactly what you find in the Bible.  The Bible is a collection of thousands of stories of people of faith - the good, the bad and the ugly.  There are tricksters and murderers; there are devout and self-righteous folks; there are the faithful and the betrayers (often in the same person!).

And, of course, God.

In the Bible, flawed human beings encounter God and here are their stories.  Believe me, they don't all come off looking like the Church Lady from Saturday Night Live.  God, however, is consistently faithful.  God will pursue all creation out of great love no matter what.  Foolish humans thought they could avoid God's love for all people by crucifying Jesus, and yet, there he was, 3 days later, ready to love again.

Your story is within the pages of the Bible.  All of your stories, and the stories of all people.  You will find desperate mothers and arrogant rich men.  You will find traitorous brothers and frightened leaders.  You will find lost children and adulterous husbands.  You will find compassion and healing and grief and joy.

The journey to discover your story will help you discover this God of love who challenges us to leave the darkness and live in the light.  We teach our youngest children Bible stories but then pretend that we have learned it all and there is no meaning left hidden.  When we were little it was a story about a boy who had 5 fish and 2 loaves.  What does this story say to you today about generosity and blessing?  About scarcity and abundance?

Faith is found in the stories of the Bible.  Faith is formed through the stories of the Bible.  Faith is strengthened through the stories of the Bible.....because your story is in there, just waiting for you to discover how much God loves you.

The Bible is a powerful faith tool....and it's lots of fun as well.