And so, it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power. - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Corinth, "I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling." Wow, even the Apostle Paul was unsure of himself when it came to telling the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Paul was notorious for moving from one city to another in order to tell the story of Jesus. Some people were ready to lean in and listen to his story while others were hardened and resistant to receive his message. Regardless of his audience, what made Paul such a successful storyteller? Paul said, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on God’s power.” Notice his reliance on the Holy Spirit. Paul didn’t manufacture a story, he stuck to the basics and relied on the Holy Spirit to change lives. Jesus said in John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
This didn’t absolve Paul of sharing his story. In fact, Paul actively looked for opportunities to share his story. Do you ask God for opportunities to share your story? Interestingly, in Galatians 5:25, Paul implores us to, “keep in step with the Spirit.” He encourages us to keep in step because it must be easy to get out of step.
I like to think of sharing stories as a dance. In partnership with God, we learn to step together in the power of the Holy Spirit seeking the right time, right person, and the right story to tell. This approach requires us to be actively engaged with God, seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance.
As you look to be a Difference Maker, don’t put undue pressure on yourself to share your story, but let’s make sure we are asking God for opportunities to do so.
reflect and respond
What do you think gave Paul pause in sharing the Gospel?
What makes you hesitant in sharing what God has done in your life with other people?
How do you invite the Holy Spirit into your conversations? Do you actively ask God for opportunities to share your story?
How do you think Paul practiced staying in step with the Spirit when he moved from town to town? What is one thing you can do to keep in step with the Spirit of God this week?
