By Andrew Williams
Series: The Living Gospel (Week 1: Uncovering Your Narrative)
Opening Prayer
Lord, distill the story of my life down to its essence, that the central message would always and only be about Your magnificent grace.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
1 Timothy 1:15-16
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”
After a week of uncovering the different parts of our narrative, it’s time to find the main theme. The Apostle Paul, a man with a dramatic and complex story, was able to distill his entire testimony down to one core message: Jesus saves sinners, and he was a prime example.
Every element of Paul’s story—his violent past, his dramatic conversion, his apostolic ministry—all served to amplify this one central truth. He saw his own life as an “example” of God’s “great patience.” His goal wasn’t to highlight his own experiences, but to use his experiences to highlight the mercy and patience of Christ.
What is the central truth that your life declares? After looking at your past, your turning point, your transformation, and your trials, what is the one headline that sums it all up? Maybe it’s “God’s faithfulness in the face of fear,” or “God’s grace is greater than my failure,” or “God brings beauty from ashes.” Finding this core message helps you focus your story and ensures that it always points back to Him.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Try to write a one-sentence “thesis statement” for your testimony. Start with the phrase, “My life is an example of…” and complete it with the core message God has shown you (e.g., “…how God’s peace can overcome anxiety.”).
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for the unique story You have written in each of us. Help me to see the central theme of Your grace running through every chapter, and to declare that core message with clarity and conviction. Amen.
