Let the Redeemed Tell Their Story...on Social Media?

Psalm 107:2a (NIV) exclaims "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." Because the stories God has given me to tell point so clearly to how he redeemed my life from the pit, I feel compelled to tell these stories and to encourage others to do the same. And, while social media can be a quagmire of time-sucking poison, it does provide at least one far-reaching avenue for sharing those stories of redemption and pointing to God's faithfulness.

Here's the problem for me though: I am uncomfortable seeking attention on social media. In fact, I kind of hate it a lot. And, if I'm honest, I judge others who do so quite harshly most of the time - even though I know I should not. There are exceptions: my daughter is a collegiate trumpet player with a very highly followed Instagram account. She regularly posts her practices and concerts and recommendations in order to reach out to other trumpet players and musicians. I see her using that platform in powerful ways to give a voice to her experiences for the sake of others - particularly for female trumpet players who face an uphill battle in a male-dominated profession. My nephew, a young farmer on our fifth generation family farm, regularly posts about his experiences and challenges in order to shed much-needed light on the joys and trials of the family farm experience. But, my appreciation for social media attention-seeking definitely has its limits. So, sharing my own stories - even if for the sake of advancing God's Kingdom and spreading the Good New of Jesus - is difficult for me. Uncomfortable. Makes my stomach ache.

Why, then, should I do it? Why, then, should any of us do it? Why should we share our stories of redemption on social media? Here are a few of my reasons for taking the risk of sharing the stories God has given me at this point in my life:

• Sharing our stories of redemption is a directive from our Heavenly Father in His Word. "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" in Psalm 107:2a (NIV) could not be more clear. When we are saved by Jesus, we are called to tell others about who He is and how He has changed our lives.

• Sharing our stories of redemption is an act that has eternal consequences. If just one person hears our story, connects with it and decides to follow Jesus, that person is saved forever. That person will be in heaven eternally. Beyond that, Jesus promises this in Matthew 10:32 (NIV): "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." Clearly, sharing our stories of redemption is connected to eternity for us as well.

• Sharing our stories of redemption is nothing to be ashamed of. Any uncomfortable consequence we face by telling our stories in order to point to Jesus (up to and including persecution and death) is simply a worry that we need to hand back over to God, who loves us more than we can imagine. So, we can bravely share the stories of our redemption. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NIV) explains: "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." Any suffering we might experience because we share the stories of our redemption is minor compared to what our Savior, Jesus Christ, endured for our behalf when He died on the cross to pay for our sins. And, because He rose again to conquer death forever, our sufferings here matter little when eternity in heaven awaits.

And so, I invite you to take this journey with me. I've recently published my first book - Remembering the Home Place - which includes many of my stories of redemption. If you have been redeemed by the power of the Lord and the love of Jesus Christ, it is time to tell your stories of redemption, too - not that we ourselves may be recognized or praised, but that our stories will help to grow God's Kingdom to spread the Good News of Jesus. I'd love to help by facilitating a storytelling workshop at your church or in your community. Contact me for more details!

"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Psalm 66:16

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