Suggested Readings: Psalm 53 Leviticus 25:1-19 Revelation 19:9-10
I come from a long line of storytellers. I am rooted in the Southern tradition of sitting around the table well past mealtime recounting the experiences of my grandparents and great-grandparents. There are some stories that, no matter how many times they have been told, find their way into the conversation. I listen and laugh at these "golden oldies" as if it were the first time I heard them. They connect me to those who have come before me. They remind me that I am part of a greater community. They remind me I am not alone. Stories are powerful.
The Psalmist reminds us of the power of stories.
Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those redeemed from the hand of the foe, those the Lord gathered from the lands, from East and West, from North and South.
The Lenten season serves as both a time of reflection and of proclamation. We are reminded of the redemptive work of God through the cross. We are also able to consider the ways in which this work is reflected in our daily lives. We are reminded, once again, that we are not alone.
We are also invited to tell our story. The Psalmist challenges the redeemed not only to acknowledge the goodness of God, but to tell their story of redemption. Perhaps you are like me and find yourself wondering if your own story will live up to the hype. What foes can I say I have been delivered from in my life? Is my story spectacular enough? However, the scripture reminds us that the story of God’s enduring love for us is worth telling and retelling. It will sound different for each of us, but it is in the telling of this story that we are reminded of its power. I am only called to tell my story - not live up to the story of someone else. We are reminded that - through this telling and retelling - we are part of a greater community, that we are connected to those who have come before us, and that we are not alone.
During this Lenten season give thanks for the enduring love of God. Consider the ways in which you have experienced this love in the past week. Now, embrace the challenge of the Psalmist and tell that story to someone today.
Christy Ridings
