Getting Our Stories Straight

So, what kinds of stories are you into these days?  Whether it's reading a good book, watching a performance on stage, a good movie, or maybe even in those increasingly rare moments when we take the time to listen as someone tells their own, we have all experienced what its like to be drawn into a good story! 

Furthermore, stories are not simply about entertainment or diversion.  The stories that we tell about ourselves or each other; about our families or our country; about God and/or our view of reality -- these are what provide us with the framework we build our lives around, and provide the lenses through which we view our world.  Stories are powerful!

What's more, storytelling is pretty significant as well.  And I'm not talking here just about the ability to tell a story well, but perhaps even more, about the art of listening well.  Because we have so much going on in our heads that often takes up a lot of mental and emotional space, it is sometimes difficult for us to really hear the stories others are telling without us forcing what we are hearing into the framework of the stories we are already rehearsing in our heads.  As in the classic case of the story of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to visit, we can be so "worried and troubled about many things" (living out the story line that is playing in our own heads), that it is hard to make room for the "one thing that is needful."  Story-listening may be as much of a skill as story-telling!

As it turns out, one of the most significant ways that God has chosen to share with us is through stories (all collected and bound together in one volume called The Bible).  This week, Pastor Ken explores a bit of what it means to be good listeners to God's story, as well as how our own stories sometimes get in the way.  If you'd like to listen to the sermon again, or for the first time, you can find it byclicking here.

Enjoy reflecting on the scripture passages to the right as you look at the way the stories that the disciples and the crowds were focused on contrasted with the Story that Jesus was sharing.

John 6 (TNIV)

 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.     

    7 Philip answered him, "It would take almost a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

    8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

    10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." . . . 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

    12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

    14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water

    16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. . .