Are you a good listener? Do you love storytelling? These are great gifts! There is something compelling, I find, in learning about other people’s lives from their own perspective. It is so interesting to be offered an insight into how they tackled the challenges they faced; what they learned from the mistakes they made; and how they celebrated the joys of their journey.
John Weaver, in his book Emmaus [1], encourages us to recognise that we are all in different places on our journey of faith. He observes that the Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35) gives an account of how Jesus came alongside two people in their time of dismay. He did not wade in giving them all the answers and telling them what they should think or believe. He listened to them, walked with them as they explained their disappointment, and then opened the Scriptures to them. He accepted their hospitality and revealed himself to them, before leaving them with a burning desire to share the good news with their friends.
What an example this is to us. We have an opportunity to draw alongside others. We are equipped to engage with those around us, right where they are. We can listen to their stories. It sometimes feels awkward to sit with the silences when someone is voicing their doubt or worry, but allowing gaps in conversation gives people time to process their thoughts before verbalising them. This gives them space to express what they really wanted to say. As we share our own experiences and understanding in response, we point people to the truth of God’s deep love for them. Engaging with those around us in this way can lead us, and our contemporaries, to encounter God in fresh ways.
When I am singing these words from the worship song, Hymn of Heaven [2],
And on that day, we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”
“Forever He shall reign”
…I always think of my grannies, heroes of the faith! These wise Christian ladies loved the Lord, read the Bible, were faithful in prayer and sought to honour God by putting him first, day after day. Years ago, my paternal grandmother wrote down lots of notes and comments about her life, which I collated into a booklet alongside photos of different events and people during her lifetime. Not only was it an enjoyable project to work on, but it is a fascinating insight into her journey of faith, detailing how God worked in and through her. It is a treasure for family to read and share.
There is so much for each of us to learn from the ways in which God has shown his faithfulness in their tough times. Would you think about sharing your journey with others? Strike up a conversation, wait to hear where that person is at, and share your own thoughts and experiences with them. Or write your reflections down for others to read.
Your faith journey will be an encouragement to someone else.
“Each of us has a personal story to tell – a journey of faith; of ecstasy and pain; of loneliness and of the company of others; of doubts and of certainties. We must find ways of sharing these stories in our worship and fellowship together, and in the witness of our daily lives.”
~John Weaver, Emmaus
[1] Emmaus. Journeying toward and onward from Emmaus, Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2022
[2] Songwriters: Brian Johnson / Phil Wickham / Bill Johnson / Chris Davenport Hymn of Heaven lyrics © 2020 Be Essential Songs, Bethel Music Publishing, Brian and Jenn Publishing, Songs for Tim, CDavs Music
Sarah Sellers is a solicitor. She and her family live in rural County Antrim and are members of Lisburn Cathedral.
Note: John Weaver has responded to this PS blog and his response will be with you in two days! This hopefully will give you time to reflect again on the issues Sarah and John are raising.
Please note that the statements and views expressed in this article of those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Contemporary Christianity.
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