Stories of faithfulness
By Andrew Clouse
When a Jewish family sits down to a Seder or Passover meal, they are entering into a feast of stories.
The purpose of the meal is to remember the day God saved the Jewish people from the Egyptians, a moment when God’s faithfulness was tangible. When each child reads their part of the Seder script, they enter into the story as if it were their own.
For us living in the 21st century, God continues to work in our lives, calling us to serve in the name of Jesus. But we don’t always emphasize hearing each other’s personal stories of God’s call.
In speaking our own testimonies, we give voice to our recognition that God is in control, guiding us as we navigate through life.
In hearing stories, we may be inspired by how our brothers and sisters have sensed God’s presence.
In entering into their stories, we understand our own better.
It was one person’s testimony that finally convinced me to be baptized into the church.
I was studying in Cuba in 2001 when I met Raymundo Garcia, a Cuban Christian pastor who had spent many years in an internment camp for refusing to reject his faith. He told our group that when Fidel Castro came to power, pastors were given a choice: renounce their faith, or be imprisoned indefinitely. He, and many others, unable to renounce the truth, chose the latter.
If he, who had endured so much suffering for his faith, could remain joyous in following Jesus, I could, too.
This issue of Beyond Ourselves focuses on how our mission workers and others associated with Mission Network have experienced God’s call. It is my prayer that in reading these stories and the bonus content on our website, you will be challenged and encouraged to take note of how God is calling you. And then, may you feel led to share your own story.