Passing On The Good News

Paul never personally traveled to Colossae himself. But Paul’s redemption story, his passionate faith in and love for Jesus Christ, as well as his love for others were passed on to the Colossians through Epaphras, the founder of the church at Colossae. He likely heard Paul preach during an earlier missionary trip to Ephesus. Now he is sharing with Paul his first-hand account of the Colossian faith story; their love for Jesus Christ and fellow believers. 

 

Just like Paul, Epaphras, and the Colossians, God calls us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and our stories of faith. The core message of John 3:16 that tells us “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

 

• What was life like before you accepted Christ?
• Why did you choose to put your trust in Him? 
• How has life changed since accepting Christ?

 

My Faith Story:

Growing up with four generations under one roof at Grandmother’s house was messy and chaotic to say the least. In spite of the circumstances, Grandmother had a cheerful, joy-filled heart. She passed on her joy and love for Jesus by taking me to Sunday School. On the way home we sang the praise songs I learned. At night when she tucked me into bed, she made sure I had tucked away the promises of God’s joy, faithfulness, and love in my heart as well. Seeds of faith were planted.

 

By the time I started middle school, my family had moved several times. As the new kid on the block I felt very alone each time we started over. I began attending a local church and my new youth group friends and leaders passed on their faith stories and love for Jesus. 

 

On the last night of a youth retreat camp after an evening of roasting marshmallows, campfire songs, and fellowship… a friend sat on the pier with a struggling and confused thirteen-year-old and shared his story and love for Jesus. With a starry sky above, I accepted Jesus’s personal gift of love and redemption as my Savior. I felt seen and began to see every day as a new day, a fresh start…full of hope, promise and His grace.

 

Many decades have passed since that night.  My roots are deep in the fertile soil of God’s Word and Christian community. His love floods my heart with peace, even in difficult situations. God doesn’t expect us – you or me – to be perfect. He just wants us to be present and walk with Him.

 

Today as a Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Friend, Co-worker and Neighbor… I pass on my faith stories and the messy life lessons and experiences I have walked through with Jesus, the author of hope by my side. There is no better love story than the one of God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus.  

 

Your faith story is the best gift you can ever give someone; the gift of love and hope.

 

We don’t always know the journey fellow travelers are walking. Our unique stories, our struggles, and our messy in-betweens bring hope to the people God puts in our path. We are called to love others and there is no better way than journeying with them and sharing our faith and Jesus, the author of hope.

 

What is your faith story? I encourage you to take a few minutes and write down your responses to the above questions.  Pray about who needs to be encouraged today by your story.

 

Prayer:  Dear gracious Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. I am starting my day with thanksgiving and praise. Thank you for the gift of grace and eternal life through your Son Jesus.

Thank you for walking with me each and every day and giving me opportunities to grow my faith. Give me eyes to see the opportunities around me to help someone else who might be struggling and needs encouragement today. In all things I praise you. Amen

More Moments:

Here are the words to the “Pass it On” song etched in my heart from middle-school youth group.

 

“Pass It On”

by Kurt Kaiser

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 572

 

Verse 1

It only takes a spark

To get a fire going

And soon all those around

Can warm up in its glowing

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it

You spread His love to ev’ryone

You want to pass it on

Verse 2

What a wondrous time is spring

When all the trees are budding

The birds begin to sing

The flowers start their blooming

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it

You want to sing it’s fresh like spring

You want to pass it on

Verse 3

I wish for you my friend

This happiness that I’ve found

You can depend on Him

It matters not where you’re bound

I’ll shout it from the mountain top

I want my world to know

The Lord of love has come to me

I want to pass it on