Day 37: Sharing your life message

Posted by Marilyn Bazett-Jones on

By Marilyn Bazett-Jones

I’m a Tuesday blogger and this Tuesday topic fits me well... You see, I’ve just spent nearly two years writing my life message to share with others.

After losing Ted, the brevity of life had hit me hard and I knew I could no longer procrastinate about something I feel so passionate about. I had always wanted to write a book and now it was time. Today, I have a book to share and a whole lot of healing has happened because of it.

When I was a young girl with only a limited perception of God, I felt judged, condemned, inadequate and fearful. Then God wove together a string of events and revealed to me:

“I’m not about watching you fail and punishing you for it. I’m a God of love, forgiveness and second chances! I’ve drawn you with cords of loving kindness. Abide in me; stay close and I’ll provide all that you need. Seek your happiness in me and you will find your heart’s desire. I’ll show you more blessings than you could ever ask or imagine.”

I’m so grateful for the beautiful story God gave me to live, and then impressed upon me to share. As Rick Warren stated, “Shared stories build a relational bridge that Jesus can walk across from your heart to theirs.” And I want as many as possible to meet Jesus on that bridge. Warren also wrote, “The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life.”

First I thought I was writing for family and friends, to share with them the richness of relationship with Jesus and illustrate what it can look like day by day. Then, in my heart I knew that message was meant to be shared more broadly. Why let anyone miss out on the abundant blessings that abiding in Jesus can bring?

But sharing with a wider audience challenged me to think about authenticity. Am I the same person when I am around my kids, as I am at my church, as I am at my workplace? Will I choose the same words to describe my faith whether sharing with my brother, aunt, doctor, neighbor, boss, teammate, hairdresser, accountant or a coworker who might not be a believer?

And will I share the personal details with anybody and everybody who wants to read it? Will I open my heart, especially if it will help others to relate, to trust God and grow? I decided I would. Personal vulnerability opens doors.

I’m convinced our stories are meant to be shared. God can work all things together for His purpose. Sharing your story doesn’t necessarily mean you need to write a book. Just be open to sharing your faith in conversation so that others can meet Jesus on that bridge.

 

Marilyn Bazett-Jones is a communications specialist at WEC Energy Group in Green Bay and the author of the newly published book "Life, Love and Loss."