But Jesus would not let him (the man He had healed) sail with them. Instead Jesus said, “Go back to your people and tell the story of the great things God has done for you, and how He showed mercy to you.” (Mark 5:19)
Your people know you well. They may not know
about your past and your struggles, but they know you well enough to see a
change in your life. Are you willing to be transparent with them – honest
enough – so they may be encouraged by the story of the Lord’s work in your
life? Telling your story is powerful, but it costs you something. That cost is
part of your investment in your people; giving your life and your foregoing
your privacy, so they may know God.
You can understand this man’s desire to stay
with Jesus. He had been tormented by demons, and now they were gone. Think of
the profound gratitude you feel when someone relieves you of a significant problem.
This man truly loved Jesus, and he wanted to show that love. But, consistently,
Jesus told people to show their love for Him by giving their lives away to
other people. For this man it was no different.
Understand that this is the way for you too.
Your work will often be to tell your story of God’s powerful work in you, even
when it is hard to tell that story. Do that work, and so model transparency for
your people.
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