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Return home and tell how much God has done for you. Luke 8:39 NIV

Summer camp stories told ’round the evening fire were the best, especially Friday nights. After week-long encounters with Jesus–being stretched and challenged both physically, emotionally and spiritually–we shared our God stories around the campfire. By the end of the night, story after story, God’s presence was palpable. 

We wanted to stay there in that moment, forever, basking in God’s glory and our unified faith. But, Saturday came and it was time to return home to the routine of our lives. 

Jesus met a tormented, demon-possessed man, chained and banished inside lakeside caves. He ordered the Legions to leave this man and they obeyed. Immediately, this man felt relief and his sanity returned. Thankful for the return of normalcy in his life for the first time in years, he wanted to spend all his time with Jesus. But, instead of inviting him to go with him, Jesus ordered the man to return home and share all that God had done for him.

When we experience God’s healing or a divine breakthrough in our lives, isn’t it tempting to stay in that moment–at the foot of the cross–and bask in God’s presence? Don’t you just want to pitch your tent and live in that moment forever? 

But what good is God’s glory in our lives if we keep it hidden in our secret places? How will others know that God’s healing and redemptive mercy and grace are for them as well? 

Like that healed man of Legions, Jesus says, “Return home and tell how much God as done for you.” Tell. Your. Story. It’s risky business, yes, but tell it anyway. Be God’s kingdom conduit of grace, mercy, and healing. 

Tell…Your…Story! We’re waiting to hear it. 

Prayer: Oh, Jesus, thank you for risking everything to bring God’s healing into our lives. Thank you for offering us your mercy and grace to forgive and the courage to share our stories with those around us. May we be obedient to do as you ask. Amen.