Is anyone asking?

Often within the Axis Community we share our faith stories with one another, and at times have one of you share your story at the monthly axis experience. So what is the point of this whole story thing anyway, why is this important? What is so important about Story that I would take time to blog about it, and hope that you would waste some of your precious working hours to stop and read this post?

When it comes to Story, the reality is it awakens the human heart like no other form of communication can. For centuries and centuries humankind has been fascinated with story, from ancient history to modern day story has stood the test of time as the primary and most powerful form of communication. It’s as if we were designed at the very core of our being to respond to story. Recently my buddy Arrendim and I, who lives a few doors down from me had an amazing conversation about this. Arrendim or “big A” as I call him kicked it out on his patio in the cold for a few hours reflecting on stories that have shaped our life and world view. He shared of story from his Hindu faith and provided opportunity for me to share story from my Christian faith, it was a conversation I’ll remember for quite a while. At the end of our time we didn’t really come to a conclusion of why story has so much power in our life, but to a question. That being why? Why is story so powerful? An article I recently read by Tom Atlee stated that:
“story is the reality that every person, every being, every thing has a story and contains stories—and in fact, is a story—and that all of these stories interconnect, that we are in fact, surrounded by stories, embedded in stories and made of stories.”
Poet Murial Ruckiser once said “the universe is made of stories not atoms.”

Story is and will continue to be the most powerful form of communication because we were hardwired for story, our beings, our very souls were designed to react and respond to story, and when we listen and engage in a story something resonates deep within us, and our wiring whether we consciously know it or not realizes that we are invited into a epic story, “The Story.” This is probably why Jesus taught the way he did, through stories because he knew better then anyone who has ever walked the planet of how to connect to the human heart, how to awaken the human soul.

So what’s your point Jon? Good question! A critical verse found in 1 Peter has been on my heart over the last month. Many of you have prayed for me and my family in the loss of my cousin. My family has been really struggling with this and the wake and funeral were really tough to embrace. As I looked at the man that taught me how to fish, how to hunt, and how to ride 4 wheelers, I thought to myself how young he was to be lying there in a casket and how I wish I could have had some more time with him. I thought of the brevity of life, and how fragile it really is which lead me once again to the beauty of God’s love. I began to think of what I can give people, and came to the conclusion once again that the ultimate gift I can offer another person is the gift of eternal life and purpose here on Earth through trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My passion for loving those who are outside the family of God has increased to a level like never before, largely due to loosing my cousin.

1 Peter 3:15 states “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.
This verse has been burning in my heart for myself and for you my community.

As I read this verse I’m inspired and challenged with two questions:
1. Is anyone asking?
2. What’s the best way to respond?

So how about you, is anyone asking? Are there people in your life that are hard bent on finding out how the heck you have hope in the realities and uncertainties of life? If not why not? Secondly what’s the best way to respond? We see that we’re supposed to do this with gentleness and respect but that’s descriptive, not necessarily prescriptive.

I’d like to challenge you and suggest that you tap into the most gripping and compelling medium known to humanity; that being story. You have a story to tell, one that is true, one that brings fame to God, one that compels others to think, one that is worth telling!

Let’s Chat.

Blessings.

Jon Peacock