Obsessed With Story

Something has clicked on in my head and in my heart. I've become obsessed with the need for story. I've always loved a good story told well whether it was as a novel, a movie, a play, or some bard weaving his words around me. But I recently was given the opportunity to tell a very well known story to the congregation of my church. This was on the heels of having hosted a storytelling workshop during which many of my own ideas of the importance of story and the relevance storytelling were confirmed. 


The story was the battle between David and Goliath. Faced with the challenge of telling a story that virtually everyone in the audience would be familiar with I struggled with how to make it new and fresh for the congregation. I spent time meditating over what I thought I knew of the story and praying about it. What resulted was approximately 9 minutes and an experience that was both amazing and revelatory. I honestly had a hard time maintaining control of the story. It seemed to blast out of me and for a few moments, I literally forgot who I was. 


Perhaps the most interesting and rewarding aspects to that experience was the feedback I recieved from the congregation. As a performer for church theatre I've grown accustomed to the usual attaboys and "thank you for sharing your gift" comments that are typical in response to a performance. This was different though. I was getting comments like, "I was able to identify with the people for the first time," and, "I thought I knew that story," and, "days later I can still feel Goliath's voice thundering in my chest." You see! God's Word took on flesh and we were all ushered onto the floor of the Valley of Ellah and were standing close by as David and Goliath rushed at each other. God's Word manifested itself in a very real sense and we all bore witness anew to the power of God and how very amazing He can be.


Perhaps because of the experience my once strong appreciation for story has been transformed. I have become consumed by the need for it. I read the Bible with new eyes and a transfixed heart. I subscribe to a short story podcast and am drawn almost bodily into the tales. And I'm feeling emotions with an heightened intensity. Listening to the news I get teary-eyed. It's weird and wonderful and horrifying and exciting.


And now I find myself presented with a most extraordinary possibility. Friends have told us about a missionary in the UK who is considering the development of a team who would be focused on evangelism to the celtic people groups through the use of storytelling. And he's on furlow here in the states. Ah! I almost ache to my bones for the chance to do this. To share the story of my Creator, my Savior, my Christ with a people who not only appreciate story but revere it. And to do it in their own language. I've always been drawn to the Celts perhaps because I've always rooted for the underdog or perhaps because of my own reputed family ties to Scotland. Regardless of the reason, I have an inexplicable - almost - need to speak to the man who is responsible for this idea and yet I have to wait. He is not yet available. Meanwhile, I look around me at work and all I survey and somehow everything seems a little gray and tasteless. And so I wait and I pray that God will either protect me from my own compulsions or enable me to explode for His glory.