This is my story
Fanny Crosby wrote these lyrics along with over 8000 others in the 1800’s. The hymn that I grew up singing has been revived, adding a new bridge to her words. Crosby lost her sight at six weeks old, her father at six months old, and her only child when the baby was just an infant. Her faith in Christ was deep from an early age and gave her strength through her life. Blindness did not hold her back from writing, teaching, being a lobbyist and ministering to those in need, and praising God through it all.
How do you share your story? Sharing our God story needs to flow naturally through our actions and words. The apostle Peter speaks of this:
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)
Pray
Listening and seeking God in prayer in order to know Him is the starting place. We know God’s ways are not our ways but we often set out with our own, however lofty, agendas. I have wondered how many times my busyness, weakness, or selfishness has caused me to miss an opportunity. Prayer is the key to lining up my will with God’s, allowing the Holy Spirit to prompt me in ways I would miss.
Know your audience
As a Christ follower, I am an heir of salvation! I am born of His Spirit and washed in His blood. That is normally not how I start my story. Jesus stepped into the lives of those he encountered. Listened. Asked questions, met needs, explored, THEN shared the hope of God. Again, the Holy Spirit is the buffer uniting my words and actions with what God is doing, at that moment, in another’s life. I may never know this side of heaven all the ways God is working around me. But I am to be keen to His working in me and to follow in obedience.
There have been times when my story begins in the present, today, something God is working out in my life. Other opportunities have me reflect on the 15-year-old, raised in church, lost kid who came to an understanding that she needed the forgiveness and grace of God personally. A sinner in need of a Savior.
Share the hope you have
As I write, I am more thankful than ever for the blessed assurance I have in my Savior. Life is hard, the world is broken, and I can find myself pulled into the world’s disillusionments. Crosby’s last verse points me to where I need to focus each day. Perfect submission all is at rest (yield), I and my Savior am happy and blessed (joy), Watching and waiting, looking above (eternity!), Filled with His goodness, lost in His love (grace).
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long!
Allyson Clark serves as Next Generation Co-Director of Youth Ministries at the Baptist Convention of New England.
