Voices of the Past

Stories, both fictional and true, can have an impact beyond the facts. Stories can engage not only the mind but the heart and emotions, as well.

Jesus used parables and stories to teach people. The Bible is filled with stories.

Stories can give us hope and make us laugh. Encourage us and make us brave or show us when we’re wrong. They can convict us or comfort us. Stories can inspire change and action in ways a lecture or an advice book might never be able to.

God uses stories in the Bible to reach our hearts.

Christian, YA author Tim Shoemaker points out that “God could have given us a short paragraph about how it is important to sacrifice ourselves for others and to take a risk even if we’re afraid of the consequences. Instead, He gave us the beautiful story of Esther.”

God gave us the Ten Commandments. Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery, etc. But that didn’t strike at David’s heart and penetrate the barrier erected by sin. David knew the facts, but he was able to go on with his life until God sent Nathan the prophet with a story that sliced him open and transformed his heart (Shoemaker).

Stories can take us out of our own little world and into someone else’s. David could empathize with the poor man who only had one little, treasured lamb and had it stolen by his wealthy neighbor. We can imagine what it must have been like for Esther to walk into the throne room of Xerxes, king of the Persian Empire, a man she hadn’t spoken to for over thirty days and ruler of the most powerful empire in the world, knowing that she could be put to death if he didn’t extend his scepter.

Or we can understand Hosea’s pain when his unfaithful wife Gomer returned to prostitution, an illustration of God’s pain when the Children of Israel turned from Him. Francine Rivers opened the story up even further when she fictionalized the account of Hosea and adapted it to the American West in the 19^th century, in her novel Redeeming Love. The novel turned movie has carried the message of forgiveness, second chances, and unconditional love to millions.

God is still using stories to reach people. He can use our stories, both true and fictional.

If God has called you to write, don’t discount the gift He has given you or any gift He has given you. And if you love to read fiction, ignore the naysayers, jump into the characters’ hearts and minds, and learn from them.

What stories, outside of the Bible, have inspired you?