Focus
In a God story the focus is on God. Sure.
Simple. It is so obvious why
bring it up? You know the human tendency
to up talk ourselves and insert unnecessary elements while sometimes
downplaying the place or role of the Almighty God. Focusing on God in a God story may take some
effort in order to rightly honor Him.
Interested?
Observe John’s telling of his journey to heaven. Look for how he tells this story. Read through it and we will review it
afterwards.
Then as I
looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard
before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I
will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit,
and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the
throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of
an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.
Twenty-four
thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all
clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came
flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were
seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In
front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the
center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes,
front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second
was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in
flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered
all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they
keep on saying,
“Holy, holy,
holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is
still to come.”
Whenever the
living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne
(the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and
worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And
they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
“You are
worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you
created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT)
John’s God Story
A Goal of Honoring God is Present
The conclusion “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive
glory and honor and power” is woven in the whole of the story. God is worthy and John wants Him to be central
and not focus on his own feelings or questions or experiences or
observations. He has a goal and it is to
honor God.
A Personal Testimony to God is Involved
John tells his experience with God as it was. What John witnessed he tells. This isn’t a second-hand retelling (though
there is a place for such stories, this is a personal God story). He uses “I” to let us know what he
experienced, but not to point to himself.
A personal testimony to God is a powerful thing. In Revelation 12:11 it is included as part of
a trio that overcomes Satan. In Acts 1:8
the disciples are told they will be witnesses to Jesus among all sorts of
people in the world when the power of the Holy Spirit comes on them. John is sharing what God invited Him to
experience and to make known. You have
an opportunity to share what God has invited you to experience. In the power of the Holy Spirit as you tell
your God story you honor Him and overcome the enemy.
A Story Free of Bunny Trails is Told
Have you heard a story told which could have gotten to the
point with beauty and simplicity, but was complicated with layers of excursions
which I am referring to as “bunny trails?”
Bunny trails are tangents the story teller finds interesting but don’t
enhance the story or move it forward.
John was in heaven in the presence of the
Almighty and surrounded by amazing sights, sounds, feelings, aromas. If anyone ever was in a position to start
telling stories about all he experienced this would be a great time, but John
stayed on track. He tells this story in
341 words.
Write Your God Story Down
That sounds like a waste of time since you already know your
own story, right? It will help to write
it down so that you can see how it flows and where it goes.
Look for words that don’t communicate well and find
others. See if you have enough detail in
the telling so that others can understand what is going on. See if you really make the point that is on
your heart. If you are comfortable with
it have someone else look it over and give you some feedback. Work with your written copy until you are
satisfied it says what needs to be said and it honors the Lord.
Practice Telling Your Story
You may have told your God story over and over, but with the
process of shining it up it may be a little different. Practice by reading through it as you wrote
it. Do that until you are comfortable
with the way the story flows and where it goes.
Practice telling your story without notes. It doesn’t have to be exactly like your
written copy, but it should keep the essential elements and reach the right
objective. Time yourself and see if you
can tell your God story in 5 minutes going at an easy natural pace.
Pray Over Your God Story
You have a powerful tool in your toolbox as a result of
getting your story ready. Pray and ask
God to point out anything you may need to add or remove. Ask Him to give you boldness as you tell your
story. Ask Him to use your story for His
honor and glory.
You Are Ready to Share Your God Story
At a moment’s notice you can now pull out a polished story
to point to God. If you have a chance to
share with a stranger in a quick meeting, you have something wonderful to
say. If an opportunity comes up to tell
about your great God at a public meeting you can join in the concert of
praise.
Then those who
feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said.
In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of
those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. Malachi 3:16 (NLT)
I am excited to hear
your God stories.
-Randy
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