Life has a funny way of coming full circle.

I have always been someone of a more rational thought process. Recently, I recalled sitting around a colorful rug in the early grades as kindergarten or first grader and listening to guest speakers come in and read books or tell amazing stories.

On a few occasions, I remember guests coming in and describing themselves as “professional storytellers.”

Coming from the stock of hard working, blue collar folk that I have come from, I would immediately think, “That’s crazy! You can’t be a professional storyteller! Get a real job!”

I think back to my skepticism, and realize that now I am a teacher, a pastor, a writer, and a coach. To a certain extent, in each of these careers, I now realize that I too, am a professional storyteller.

I paint pictures in the minds of my students, my congregation, my readers, and my athletes. Stories take the many abstract qualities of life and make them more concrete in the minds of those who hear.

And although stories have gotten a bad wrap for being false and academics prefer the word “narratives” for “true stories,” this could not be further from the truth.

In many settings, I tell stories about my life to keep an aura of humility and/or connection of weakness with my audience.

There was a story in Scripture that does the same thing, but perfectly. It is the story of a humble man who, in perfect weakness but yet perfect strength, went to a sinner’s Cross willingly to die for His friends. He died for friends who may hear the story and those who may never (John 18-20).

Then He rose again to see the joy of all who hear the story and realize they were part of it. The main character is Jesus and yes, this is a true story. True stories should be believed truly (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Believing this story has the greatest after effect of all. It could cause weeping and absolutely would bring excitement as well. But the most important aspect, is it enables you to be saved forever and to be qualified to be a storyteller as well.

The qualification is simple and a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-10). Cherish it and tell the story (2 Corinthians 5:20).