Opinion
Follow the lead of the greatest story-teller
Jane Walters enjoys telling stories, especially those which help us understand gospel truths, and she encourages us to engage with the words of the master story teller – Jesus.
It has been my lifelong joy to be a reader. My niece once asked me, ‘Aunty Jane, is it true that when you were little, you used to sit around reading while Mummy did all the work?’ Yes, it was true. On any given day, at any time of the day or night, I would want to be reading.
What is more delicious a prospect than going to a library and getting to choose which one to start with? Or maybe visiting other people’s houses and having a good look at their shelves. I have to remind myself that I came to visit the people, and not just their book collection. (I don’t think it’s just me!)
The gospel writer John, having given us a powerful, unique narrative of Jesus’ life, works and sayings, concludes by writing: 'Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written' (John 21:25). It seems a massive exaggeration, but to be fair to John, he couldn’t have known how vast the world actually was.
But it starts me on a train of thought - as Christians, we are followers of Jesus. Our life aim is to submit to His Lordship, to do His will, and to glorify Him in the process. Ultimately, the Bible says, we are changed ever-increasingly into His likeness.
Now, one of the things Jesus was known for was His story-telling. Could we become a story-teller like Him? I like that thought!
Jesus told stories because sometimes grown-ups aren’t actually that clever – or perhaps they just try to be too clever. Jesus was funny, too, talking to His audience about camels getting through the eye of a needle.
I remember being told off by a teacher when I was younger. Something had happened, some perceived injustice or other, and I’d gone running to ‘tell Miss’. Well, what Miss told me in response was, ‘Now then, Jane, don’t go telling stories.’ I’m so glad I didn’t listen to her!
For me, part of what it means to have accepted Jesus as Lord is following in His footsteps as a story-teller: after all, he is the embodiment of the greatest story of all time, taking us, in our sin and frailty, and reconciling us to God through His ultimate sacrifice.
The world isn’t quite full of books yet – despite what some of our houses might look like. There’s room on the shelf for yours…
The image above is courtesy of pixabay.com
Jane Walters is Chair of the Association of Christian Writers and loves to champion writers of all ages and stages. She leads Green Pastures Christian Writers (currently meeting on Zoom) and creative writing retreats at Quiet Waters. Find out more: www.janewyattwalters.com or @readywritersretreats on Instagram.
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