Power of a Story
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
My grandfather could tell a story. With a glint in his eye and his slow southern drawl, he would hold court for hours, telling us wild tales of his days as a teen in our family’s cotton gin and working the land on the family farm. His stories were riveting, full of high jinx and questionable decisions, but always, always, there was a point to the story he was telling. He wanted me and my sisters to hear about the kindness he saw or the generosity he experienced or the funny way that life had of teaching him to be better. There was always something to learn.
I think it was at his knee that I learned the power of story, the way that story excites the imagination and makes the impossible seem possible. Jesus knew this, too. It’s why so much of what He taught us takes the form of a parable. Stories, that, like Mary Poppins’ sugar in the medicine spoon, make a hard word easier to bear and a difficult concept suddenly clear.
We tell stories here at University because our hope is to excite your imagination, to help you see what becomes possible when people love God and through the overflow of the love they feel for God, do incredible things serving His people. And, WOW, do you guys have some amazing stories to tell.
We’ve told stories about ordinary folks such as Terri Marshall-Schrader and her family, who, in extraordinary ways, have made it their mission to be the light of Christ in their neighborhood. We have told you about Lauren VandeBerg and the way she turned an incredibly difficult journey into hope for others. Most recently, we shared the Kurian family’s story with you, hoping to persuade you that beautiful things happen when you ask God what he wants from you and then follow through when you hear His answer.
If you haven’t already, spend some time reading about the amazing folks and groups that God is using to do His good work right here at University. You will be encouraged. You will be inspired.
And if you have a story that we need to tell, please email me at . We would love to know more!
Thanks and blessings,
Sharla Bell