A few months ago, a friend of mine shared her story with our Bible study group. She fearlessly told her story to almost 100 women. Her journey began in a dark places and had many twists and turns; the kind that you can't wrap your head around. Her story was a compelling ride from despair to redemption. At the end, she encouraged each lady to be brave and share their story. She talked about how our stories have value and meaning and matter even if you are not fully healed. She discussed the story of the ten lepers from the Bible reminding us that we do not have to be healed in order to share our story or for our stories to have meaning.
Luke 17:11-19 says,
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Let's talk about the lepers. People with leprosy were cast out during this time. They weren't allowed to be around common folk, let alone priests. But Jesus tells them to go anyway. He doesn't give them a reason. He just told them to go and they did. They did not know that their journey to the priests would bring healing but they went anyway. This may be you. Jesus is calling you to go and you are saying, "But I am not ready. I am not healed. I am unworthy. I cannot be used for I have no value." Jesus wants you to go in faith anyway. He will heal you along the road while you share your story; the story He has given you. You may not understand why He is telling you to go where He is or why He is calling you to be bold and share your story, but you can rest in knowing that there is healing in the journey. Even if you do not believe in this Jesus I talk about, still go and share your story. You have value and have no idea who you can help or how you yourself can be healed along the way. Miracles happen when we go even when we go with little or no faith.
Now, let's not ignore the latter part of the story. Ten lepers went but only one returned to give thanks. This is usually where pastors and Bible teachers park in this story. We cannot forget to give thanks and glory to God when we do find that healing we are searching for. While I find it absolutely imperative that we share our stories as they play out, I think it is equally, if not more, important to give thanks and glory where it's due: to God. The reason we live these lives and are given these stories is to share them and point people to God. Don't forget that.
So, the next time you feel completely unqualified to share your journey with someone, remember the lepers. They went to a place where they were banished and were healed along the way. Maybe your healing is awaiting your bravery today. Share your story. It has value.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Luke 17:11-19 says,
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Let's talk about the lepers. People with leprosy were cast out during this time. They weren't allowed to be around common folk, let alone priests. But Jesus tells them to go anyway. He doesn't give them a reason. He just told them to go and they did. They did not know that their journey to the priests would bring healing but they went anyway. This may be you. Jesus is calling you to go and you are saying, "But I am not ready. I am not healed. I am unworthy. I cannot be used for I have no value." Jesus wants you to go in faith anyway. He will heal you along the road while you share your story; the story He has given you. You may not understand why He is telling you to go where He is or why He is calling you to be bold and share your story, but you can rest in knowing that there is healing in the journey. Even if you do not believe in this Jesus I talk about, still go and share your story. You have value and have no idea who you can help or how you yourself can be healed along the way. Miracles happen when we go even when we go with little or no faith.
Now, let's not ignore the latter part of the story. Ten lepers went but only one returned to give thanks. This is usually where pastors and Bible teachers park in this story. We cannot forget to give thanks and glory to God when we do find that healing we are searching for. While I find it absolutely imperative that we share our stories as they play out, I think it is equally, if not more, important to give thanks and glory where it's due: to God. The reason we live these lives and are given these stories is to share them and point people to God. Don't forget that.
So, the next time you feel completely unqualified to share your journey with someone, remember the lepers. They went to a place where they were banished and were healed along the way. Maybe your healing is awaiting your bravery today. Share your story. It has value.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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