Reshaping Our Lives: Sharing Our Stories
Luke 1: 39 – 56
I recently had a conversation with a cancer survivor. Although he had been declared cancer-free, he felt like he was a different person after cancer. He felt that he needed someone to talk to who understood what this was like. He needed someone to share his story with, someone who could truly understand it. He wanted to feel like he wasn’t alone in his situation. I helped him find a support group for people who are in the exact situation he is in.
Feeling alone in a tough situation can be one of the biggest challenges we face in moving forward. Lifequakes foster a feeling of isolation and often separate us from our support networks. Yet in the messy middle, it is more important than ever to reach out and share your story. Having a trusted confidant to share our stories with (someone who may or may not offer advice) is crucial in helping us move forward. Looking at Scripture, we find that many people in transition or difficult circumstances reached out for the support, perspective, and wisdom that others can offer.
Today we read about Mary, the mother of Jesus, seeking out that support from someone who understood what she was experiencing and could offer encouragement. After becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit, Mary traveled to her older cousin’s home. Elizabeth had experienced her own miraculous pregnancy through divine intervention. Luke tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Scripture doesn’t tell us what they did during that time. My guess is that they shared their feelings, their hopes, and their fears. I like to believe that Mary found comfort in this huge lifequake by having someone older and maybe wiser to help her process what was happening. I imagine that simply not being alone during this time provided Mary with comfort and confidence.
We are not meant to walk through this life alone. Even as we have the presence of the Holy Spirit with us daily, God often provides support through the people we encounter. Going through challenges in life is tough; going through them alone is even tougher. We all need someone who can listen to our stories and remind us that we are not alone, even in the midst of hard times. Elizabeth reminded Mary of that. I think one of the most Christ-like things a church can do is build relationships so that when someone goes through a lifequake, they never feel alone. It’s the basis of Stephen Ministry as well. You can share your story.
Do you have someone in your life you can turn to during lifequakes, or do you try to figure it all out on your own? And how can you be that source of support for others going through their own challenges?
In the end, lifequakes are not meant to be endured in isolation but navigated in community. God often meets us through the presence, listening ears, and compassion of others. When we choose to share our stories and invite others into our struggles, we open the door for healing, strength, and hope. And when we become that presence for someone else, we reflect the heart of Christ in a deeply tangible way.
Rev. Dana Ezell
