One of the golden cliche’s of storytelling is the opening phrase, “Once upon a time.” Its origin goes back to the 1300s and has been used across continents and cultures in a variety of languages. It communicates a beginning without the need to define an actual time in history. It is a phrase that, for children and even adults, evokes a sense of mystery and excitement. We imagine that whatever happened “once upon a time” is something we want to hear more about.
Storytelling is God’s way of sharing His truth and His examples. Jesus could have easily shared His parables with that opening line. God uses stories and parables to help us understand who He is and what He wants us to know. He wanted His children to tell those who would come after them the amazing tales of what He had done. Why? Because each generation helped to frame the Divine nature of God and strengthen their faith. It’s interesting to note in the Old Testament that after Joshua declared that he and his family would worship the Lord, those who followed Joshua no longer told God’s stories and so generations passed without anyone knowing or realizing the presence of God.
Imagine what your life would be like if no one ever told you the story of God’s saving grace and mercy; His faithfulness and love. As you’ve probably noted before, history is really His Story. It is God’s legacy passed along from one generation to the next to bring the Light into the darkness.
The thing about God’s story is that once you have been introduced to the story, it creates a space in your soul that can’t be filled by anything else. It causes you to want more details, more information so that you can understand clearly how to share those stories yourself. After all, you’re an ambassador to planet earth and your visit here is all about sharing the stories God gives you to tell. This kind of storytelling doesn’t depend on how well you tell the tale. Of course, the more connected you are to the Creator of all our stories, the more you’ll want to share what He has done in your life. Stories about God are spine-tingling, uplifting, clarifying, and life changing. They are the stories that bring possibility to others.
If you’re not quite certain how to tell God’s stories, I would encourage you to use an old refrain, “Once upon a time.” As you move through the story, you’ll be more impressed with the way His tale will ultimately end, with “Happily ever after.” Your life is God’s story. It makes a difference to everyone around you.