Many of us remember the movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told” from the mid-1960s that depicted the life of Christ through the Gospel accounts. I can’t be sure, but I believe the first time I watched it was in the mid-1990s. I enjoyed the movie’s drama and reverence. It is true to its name as the greatest story ever told. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, come to earth to teach, to serve, and ultimately to die for your sins and for mine.
Everyone loves a great story, and everyone has a story. Life gives us many stories of love, sorrow, victory and defeat. The greatest story that we, as Christians, can tell is our personal salvation story. The story of how we came to realize the need for a Savior and that Jesus was that Savior. Jesus said that for one to “see the Kingdom of God” they must be “born again.” They must have a spiritual transformation. They must be “born anew” is how some translations put it. One goes from darkness to light through the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, then you have a story of this experience. This story is the greatest story of your life.
What’s great about our personal stories is that they belong to us. No one can take them away and no one can deny the truth in them. Often people will tell me they don’t believe in the Bible, or they don’t believe in “organized religion.” With much of the negative press in the last couple of decades, I don’t blame them for these doubts, but they can never argue with the transformation in my life. When you share your story, no one can tell you that you’re wrong. It’s your experience.
I was lost and now I’m found! I was full of anger and bitterness and now I have love and peace. Alcohol and drugs enchained me, but Christ has set me free! No one can argue your story. It belongs to you, but it was given to you to share. I can’t share it for you, but you can. I would like to encourage you this week to go out and share the greatest story you have to share. Find someone that maybe is going through some of the things that you were going through weeks, months, years ago and share how Christ has set you free.
Lt. Mark Cyr is pastor of The Salvation Army in Carson City.
