“I Love to Tell the Story” (ELW 661)
Devotion
I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know it's true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else would do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story;
'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story:
how pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy word. Refrain
I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I'll sing the old, old story
that I have loved so long. Refrain
Have you ever told (or written) your faith story? To get started, you might want to consider some of these questions: Do you have any family faith traditions? What part of worship touches your heart? Is there a hymn that is particularly meaningful to you, and why do you like it? Who has showed you Christ-like love? When did you feel particularly close to God, and maybe not so close? How has the church been a part of your life, and how has it shaped you? (If you're looking for more structure, this "Spiritual Autobiography" [http://bit.ly/2rRcQDZ] created by Portico Benefit Services is an excellent place to start.)
Jesus' Great Commission is really a reminder to go out and tell his story—and tell our story of life with him. It's what theologian Anna Carter Florence calls testimony: Nothing more or less than what we ourselves have experienced, how we've come to trust that God is faithful, why we've chosen to put our future in God's hands.
Prayer
I know I am a part of your holy story, O God. Thank you for including me in the pages of your book. Amen.