By Ariel Merivil
Tim’s sermon series this month on story has me reflecting on my own personal story and how God has unfolded the story of my life. My mom was a school teacher her entire career. In fact, many of my aunts have dedicated their careers to teaching and education.
As children of a teacher, my brothers and I were always the first ones to school and the last ones to leave. I often recall spending the week after school was out helping my mom clean up her classroom and the final weeks of summer setting up bulletin boards and reading centers. It boggled my mind why she was always taking home so many tests, quizzes and grading work every day. It seemed like a never-ending job!
I would tell her that I would never be a teacher. It felt like such a thankless job — little did I know how right I was about that — and so much work. I often wondered why she felt so called to teaching.
As an adult, whenever I run into my mom’s former students, I am always struck by their stories as they share the impact of her life on theirs. These encounters helped me understand the actual reason for all those late nights grading papers and early mornings preparing lessons.
As I reflect on the idea of story, I think about impact and how the unfolding of our lives affects those in our circle of influence. When a vehicle collides with another, the impact changes each object. In many cases, that impact is not for the better. Nevertheless, a change occurs.
What does positive impact look like? An encouraging coach who affirms the underdog, a loyal friend who is there during crisis, a stranger who shows unexpected grace. What is the impact of your life and your influence? In what ways is your story — God’s story in you — shifting and shaping the world around you?
The text of our middle hymn today is a prayer asking God to restore in us the splendor of God’s love, the wonder of God’s power, the fullness of joy and the promise of grace. It acknowledges that the Spirit’s work in us breathes out a life that can change spaces, transform communities and empower people.
Just as my mom’s classroom became a place where countless students encountered care and growth, our lives can become spaces where others encounter transformational love. My hope for you today is that in our worship, you will seek the God-story of your life and pursue the unique journey that has the potential to imprint the story of Jesus in the world.