It was 40 years ago, the mid 1980’s when hair was long, fashion went missing and mobile phones were the size of house bricks! For me and my family our story was about to collide with another far bigger story.
The event was called Spring Harvest, a gathering of thousands of Christians over the Easter holidays at Butlins. We had never experienced anything like it before, (I’m not referring to Butlins!!) the event was unlike any church experience we’d ever had and God changed not only our lives but our stories.
You see it was at Spring Harvest in the 80’s when my dads faith was changed as a result of the Bible teaching and my faith came alive as I sensed God calling me to give the rest of my life to Him whatever that might look like.
Imagine how I felt this year as I got the privilege of writing the theme book for this years event and doing the Bible teaching? The theme…..No greater story.
Everybody has a story, nobody really gets the story they want but all of our stories can be redeemed find meaning, purpose and identity when they become part of God’s bigger story.
This year we saw hundreds of children, young people and adults become followers of Jesus, we saw people healed and set free and I believe stories collided and lives were changed.
These last few days we have witnessed a new pope but his predecessor Pope Francis famously made a poignant commentary concerning the season our world is in when he said…
‘This is not an era of change but a change of era’
I believe that to be true. In the book I spend some time trying to paint the picture of our world over these last few years, crisis after crisis, chaos, instability, a demise of some of the big stories, the meta narratives and yet there’s another story at work….a greater story.
Recently research published has suggested the UK is experiencing what’s been termed ‘a quiet revival’, church attendance is on the increase maybe for the first time in many of our lifetimes, led by young people aged 18-24 and get this, more men than women!
Easter 2025 all the churches I know (and that’s actually quite a lot) reported record numbers at their Easter events and not only that but a tangible change in people’s hunger for spirituality and an openness to God. The ‘quiet revival’ is starting to become a little noisier and why not, after all there is…no greater story.
So what about you? What about your story?
My story collided with Gods story 40 years ago and this year I was humbled as I reflected on the impact of that on my life. Maybe your story is not the story you wanted…or hoped…or deserved.
Maybe your story is still in the middle, the messy middle, the painful middle, guess what…God is there at the beginning, in the middle and He will be there right at the end.
It’s His story after all.
In the book I look at Gods story through the eyes of the prophet Isaiah and we spend time not only in the class room where we find information, the living room where we find inspiration but also the playground where we find application.
I’ve love you to get copy of the book anywhere books are sold. It’s printed with a dyslexic friendly font which lots of people are finding helpful. It’s also available on audible and kindle.
As you read the book or as you reflect on your own story remember that if God is part of your story He is the author which means He gets to hold the pen. Your story is never over, it may just be time to turn the page and let Him write another chapter…
Link to the book…https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Greater-Story-Rediscovering-adventure/dp/1917455127