Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
One of the most important parts of recovery in 12 step programs is telling 'your story'. Basically, it consists of telling what your life was like before, what happened, and what it's like now. The 'what happened' portion of the story usually describes the turning point in a person's life when they have an experience of God (Higher Power) and begin the journey of personal conversion. It is a very powerful experience for both the one that speaks and those that receive it. And whether we know it or not, each one of us has a story to tell.
Today, in the passage from John's Gospel, Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. One of the disciples asks Jesus, "Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answers this question before as well as after it is asked saying that those who keep his word (love him) are the ones he and the Father will reveal themselves to. Albeit imperfectly, the disciples were among the first to love Jesus and keep his word. We know some of their stories and can identify with some of 'what happened'. Like our own conversion stories, theirs have plenty of twists and turns. But what we have in common is experiencing at various points in our lives when, in some way, we face the reality (and consequences) of human weakness and self-will and surrender to the imperative to give our lives to God.
As the people of God, we each have a story to tell—even if we do not think we do. We must first realize the story is not about us. The story is about God and how God has worked in our lives even when we were unaware of it or were not seeking God. Bearing witness to God's action in our lives is very powerful; it allows those receiving your testimony to reflect upon and, oftentimes, identify with another's personal spiritual journey. Personal testimony inspires hope and provides encouragement. It rarely fails to establish new relationships and deepen existing ones among the people of God. Today, let us reflect on our personal history with the God who created us and pray for the courage to share that story. May 'what happened' in our lives serve to lift others up in our community and Magnify the Lord.
- Gail Lyman