Short Story

By Susan Marlene Kinney

Pens of Praise Devotion      November 9, 2013

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14 NKJV

When I turn the crinkling pages of my New King James Bible, I watch Jesus inspire and lead the masses. His down to earth tales finger the hearts of His listeners as He weaves their experience and understanding of day to day existence, into eternal patterns and focus. Jesus used truth principles in the power of story to bring their, and our, understanding over the bridge spanning the gap between heaven and earth.

Other names like Abraham, Joseph, Esther, Job, Matthew, and Peter, bring to mind biblical happenings, words which paint the picture of courage, faith, and overcoming. These important collections of wisdom and mishaps warm my blood with hope and longing.

They pave the way to relationship with Christ and our ultimate survival with Him.

 

An Old Testament hero, whom I treasure, is Joseph. In the beginning of Joseph’s story, his prophetic dream gave him a glimpse of what was to come. Life for Joseph unfolded in a completely different direction than he’d expected. In spite of not understanding why the many trials and separation from his family happened, Joseph remained faithful to the knowledge that God was God. Joseph persevered through each challenge and disappointment until he was fit to be trusted by God to save many from starvation. Near the end of his story he answered his brothers’ fear with all the love and courage of a man who knows his God. Joseph speaks to them and says, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…Now therefore do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19 – 21

 

Funny how after a trial, when we have held faithfully to the grace of the Lord, we see the why or the meaningfulness of our troubled circumstances.

 And we are glad!

We’ve become someone we never knew we could.

 

Stories internalize themselves into our thoughts and pattern how we view the world and our circumstances. The Bible is God’s love letter to us and a roadmap, which can lead the way through brambles and weeds of difficulty, so that we can follow the footsteps of Jesus. He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. I invite you to peruse the short stories in the Bible. Cleave to their truth to gain strength, peace, and joy for your journey. The rich reality of these biblical men and women’s circumstances, though they happened decades ago, have touched my steps and bent my decisions to follow paths less traveled by.

 

So, you say that you have a story? What experience can you share, which can melt the wearing lies, deceptions, and discouragement shouldering the perception of your potential readers?