Your Story Matters – The Power of Your Story (Part 4)

Have you ever doubted if God will use your life for his good? Have you worried that your life would not leave a lasting impact on eternity? I want to encourage you that God’s plans are bigger than anything our tiny human brains can imagine. God will use you and your story to bring him glory.

Months ago, I wrote a series called ‘The Power of Your Story’. This series included powerful messages about how God can use our broken lives for his redemptive purpose. I thought I was done with this series, but then God showed me another story in the Bible that preaches this theme. This story is about a person who encounters God, shares his story with another, and then gets to watch a relative go from death to life.

This story takes place in chapter 18 of the book of Exodus. Before this chapter, God brought Moses and the Isrealites out of Egypt. Jethro, Moses’ father in law, heard this story of God’s power and love for his people, but had to see it for himself. Jethro went to meet Moses in the wilderness to find the truth.

The Bible doesn’t say why Jethro had to see Moses, but we can guess it was because he doubted the story. Maybe Jethro doubted that God was faithful or powerful enough to bring his people out of slavery and bondage.

Do you ever feel like Jethro? Do you doubt that God is powerful? Do you feel so stuck in sin that the hope of freedom seems impossible?

Jethro needed to hear Moses’ story in person, and he sent word to Moses that he was coming. Moses was so excited to see him that he “went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him” (Exodus 18:7).

Read what happens next: (Exodus 18:8-12).

“Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.  And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

Moses’ story led to Jethro’s belief in God. Jethro started to rejoice in God and then he started worshiping him through sacrifices. His life changed 180 degrees because Moses shared his story with him.

Friends, our stories can impact eternities. Moses got to use his story to open his father-in-law’s eyes. Imagine if your loved one came to know God through your story? How amazing!

God uses our stories to help others experience Jesus. What a beautiful gift.

Questions to think about:

1. Jethro needed to hear Moses’ story of freedom to be able to believe in God’s power. Who do you need to share your story with?
2. How has God changed your life and brought you freedom?
3. Moses was so excited to share his story with Jethro. Are you that excited to share your story with others?

Pray that God would provide opportunities for you to share your story and the gospel with your friends and family this week.

Check out the others posts in the Power of Your Story Series:

• Your Story is an Extension of God’s Power
• God’s Eternal Perspective – Why Your Story Matter
• Vulnerability Leads to Growth – How to Grow by Sharing Your Story

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