Sharing Your Story
Scripture Reading — Mark 5:11-20
“Go home . . . and tell them how much the Lord has done for you . . . .” Mark 5:19
Milton Hershey had two favorite loves: children and chocolate. Believing that the two go together, he began a small chocolate factory in 1903. Mr. Hershey knew how to make good chocolate bars, but he did not know much about selling them. He figured, “If my product is as good as I believe it is, people will tell others about it.” And that’s exactly what happened. For several decades the Hershey bar was the only nationally enjoyed product that wasn’t advertised. News spread simply by word of mouth.
Mr. Hershey’s plan was similar to God’s plan for getting his message out. God is counting on millions of satisfied people to tell family, friends, and acquaintances that Jesus really does satisfy.
Mark 5 tells us about the miraculous healing of a demon-possessed man. The healed man then begged Jesus to take him along with him. But Jesus said, in effect, “Go back home and tell the folks you already know how much the Lord has done for you.” So the man did that, telling his story in a ten-city area called the Decapolis, and “all the people were amazed.”
Never underestimate the personal impact you can make in your everyday relationships. Share your story in the power of the Holy Spirit, beginning with the people you know. Then stand back and see what God will do.
Lord Jesus, in many miraculous ways you have healed and restored us. We have a story to tell--about your mercy and grace. Make us bold as we share it today. Amen
About the author — Dan Jongsma
Daniel Jongsma serves as an interim pastor in Fulton, Illinois. He has pastored congregations in Elmhurst and Fulton, Illinois; in Dearborn, Michigan; and in Nashville, Tennessee. Dan also served as a church planter in the Chicago area. He and his wife, Gloria, have three daughters and four grandchildren.
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