WHAT IS YOUR STORY? by Aije Barnes

I found myself awake in the middle of the night and was drawn to listen to a radio program where three Asian people, 2 men and a woman, were telling stories on how they triumphed through different life experiences. I found the stories so inspiring although I have no idea whether they were Christians.

It is amazing how God can speak to you in so many ways!

The first story was about a man who came from a very poor family and never once enjoyed a comfortable life or a happy home because his father could never bring home enough money to provide for his family. The only outlet this man had as a child to get rid of his unhappiness was to meet up with other boys who were like him, and they would crack jokes about their lifestyle. By doing this, he was able to find a place of happiness and found out that he had a gift of making people laugh, who have or are going through hard times in life. He even used his gift to encourage people to overcome similar situations like the ones he had suffered by using his own life experiences.  

This man is now a well known man and highly respected and sought after as a speaker to all sorts of people around the world because he did not let his situation overcome him but found his gift and is using it to help others. His gift has brought him before great men. His life has become his story.  

The second story was about an Asian woman who loves going on expeditions. This is very uncommon within the Asian culture and community. She often travels with other women with the same passion on these expeditions. Even though her Asian husband is also one who goes on a lot of expeditions, they never go together. They however support and encourage each other and somehow draw strength from each other whilst they are apart and always look forward to their times together when they are not on their separate expeditions. This lady gave a story of how not all the women that start off with the group, finished the journey. Some dropped out due to not being able to cope with the harsh conditions they sometimes found themselves in on route to their final destination.  When asked what kept her going, she said she set out to win and win she must. She has always reached her goal. She also said that she knows her husband is always keeping a close eye on her progress and she never wants to let him down no matter how hard the journey is. She said she knows that her husband is very proud of her because he tells her so! How encouraging! 

The last story is about another Asian man who had always dreamt of becoming a Kung Fu master as a little boy, even though he was not Chinese. He came from a poor family and his parents would had rather he concentrated his energies into doing something they felt was more rewarding and in their eyes sensible. This boy tried to please his parents but could not get rid of his innermost passion and dream. As he grew up, so did his desire to fulfil his dream. He had no idea how difficult it was going to be to achieve his dream. He saved all his money to travel to China to achieve his dream and bought a one way ticket to China to the monastery where kung Fu was taught. On his first day, he was made to run no less than 8 miles without food, squat for 2 hours with no rest and each time he lapsed, he would be beaten! He said his body ached so much and he was so hungry and tired, he thought he was going to die! Some people that joined him on the first day never went back. On top of all of that, he was told because he was not Chinese, he could not enter the monastery and was made to sleep outside! The monks tried to get rid of him but this man was determined. He did not know that achieving his dream was going to be so painful and hard. When the monks saw that this man was not going to give up, they took him in and the training became more intensive but he did not give up until he achieved his dream and has now become the only Asian Kung Fu master in the world. He now boasts of using his head to break metal into two! His story does not end here. After he had used all his life's savings to achieve his dreams he became penniless. He was however very content and started to teach young people kung Fu until he was approached by a film producer who gave him a leading role in a big movie! He is no longer a poor man.

Each of these three stories carry a lot of lessons in them. All three people went through difficult situations and came out successful in the end.

No matter how difficult the situation you may find yourself in, like the first man, count it all joy because God is not done with you. He will make it work out for your good. 

The bible says: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

Like the woman in the second story, run the Christian race to win. Don't give up. Though you may not see Jesus with your physical eyes just as this woman could not see her husband as he was not with her but knew her husband was keeping am eye on her, you have a greater companion who is Jesus. He is right there with you and has promised never to leave you or forsake you. He that has begun a good work in you He shall prefect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Finally, like the last man who did not give up on his dreams, don't give up on yours. Work towards it prayerfully, diligently and faithfully.  

The bible says: Through much tribulation shall one enter into the kingdom of heaven. My dream is to hear Jesus say to me "'Well done, my good and faithful servant!' Just like the story in the bible Jesus gave about the talents where in one part of the story the master of one of his faithful servants said 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' (Luke 19:17 NIV).

He did not promised that it would be an easy road but He promised to be with you always. His promises are yes and amen.

Here is another promise: "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 NIV)

The Lord is coming with His reward. When He comes, what will your story be?