Your Story in The Story

 ​Jesus is still writing His story through you – even in this unique time!

Stories inspire me. Currently, Noah’s favorite story is Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller. Arnie’s relationship with Mr. Bing moves from almost being eaten to being friends. I love stories like that.

Do you know what I love even more? Stories that both inspire and motivate me toward a greater purpose. After all, Jesus is alive and we have “the” story of Living Hope to tell.

Stories like...

• Young couples leaving homemade cookies and a joyful personal note on their neighbor's front step.
• Entire neighborhoods gathering non-perishable food items to assemble into Easter Baskets to give away to those who are having a tough time making ends meet.
• Families singing and dancing through multiple devices in a single room on Easter morning.
• A band of brothers praying for and encouraging one of their own as he walks his wife into the arms of Jesus. (She was the one who led him to Jesus, years ago!)
• Neighbors coming together around the Easter story and to sing in their streets (even if they’re off-key!).
• Friends standing in their driveways toasting frontline workers as they return home from their extra long shifts and those who keep our community healthy and safe during this anxious time.
• Adult children (presumably far from God) being brought to tears by the Easter story as they engage in worship for the first time in years with their parents, online.

You see, stories like these invite us to see and experience the living, beating heart of Jesus, today. And did you notice that each of them are stories of people like you and me living a life on mission​? For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
​
Have you seen or experienced God work in a surprising way? Has Jesus' love motivated you to intentionally choose doing something for somebody else in these challenging times? How have you seen Jesus alive in the world around you? Share your story at go.oslc.com/tellyourstory.

In the meantime, check out this COVID-19 Art of Neighboring Toolkit (PDF from artofneighboring.com) to discover more ways to be the heart of Jesus – His presence and power, right where you are.

Write your story by living out "the" story of your Living Hope, today.