Does My Story Matter?

I’m still in a reflective mode, looking back over some of those moments when God caught my attention in the past.  One of those was sitting on my favorite rock at the Alluvial Fan in Rocky Mountain National Park last year. I was struggling. This had been a place of restoration, refuge, clarity and celebration over these last couple of years.

In 2012, we launched our first Rogue gatherings, and our fourth group of RHYTHMinTWENTY with guys from all over the country who embarked on a dangerous journey of pursuing God, listening and taking steps that are changing everything.

A few years ago, who would have thought that God would use the successes and failures of my life to help launch Harbor Ministries? Who could have guessed that at some of my lowest moments, the insights, clarity and inspiration that would come could impact so many in such deep ways?

As I sat again at this great spot in Colorado and thought about starting something as simple as a blog, doubt sat in.

Do I really believe there is value in my ordinary story?

Are there really words and insights from my journey that could benefit others?

But as I have listened to the stories of others who have come into the Harbor and the Rhythm and Rogue journeys, I’m reminded that there is great value in all of our stories. There are many moments, words, thoughts and memories in all of our lives that can encourage, challenge and inspire others. For me, the times that I have found the direction and the confidence that I have needed to step out, to speak, to move, have come out of the quiet…

When I have really quieted down, changed things up, and really listened…the words have come. One thing that came to mind on that rock was how writing and capturing my thoughts have been a big part of my life and story as long as I can remember. There have been times when my words and memories have encouraged and challenged others, and I was reminded again that there are parts of my story that, on occasion, others need to hear.

If not for the quiet, if not for a season where I stepped off the treadmill and was forced to look at some things, to take a step back, I would have been in real trouble. So, I am going to give it a shot; ordinary words and thoughts from a guy who has seen some ups and downs, some success and failure, but through it all has done his best to keep moving.

My prayer is that as I share parts of my simple story, God might stir something in you. Maybe he can bring you back to that place, where you have deeply connected with him in the past. Where is that place? Where or when has God broken through and reminded you of something significant in your own story?