Let the story be the lesson

by Letters Editor · August 23, 2012

From Catherine de Valence, Cape Town

As I pondered and reflected on the question: �Why do you speak to them in parables?� (Mt 13:10), I see it as the stories Jesus equips us with in our daily walk with him, as his witnesses.

Our life�s testimonies could be a parable�something one can relate to in one�s own life. This parable can be comparable to someone, through their life�s experiences.

Whenever I experienced a story, through a lesson learnt in my life, I see it as a parable to share with others. These stories, parables, are a way of getting a message through to someone, to warn, instruct, guide and teach others about something relevant in their lives.

This subtle approach does not come across as condemning or judgmental, but as an open door for one to find true self in their situation.

It�s simply a story told, with the expectation that God�s Holy Spirit will reveal the true meaning to those willing to listen, hear, see and understand.

An example of this is when I was asked to share a testimony to a group of people, on several occasions. I was open to God�s Spirit to speak in and through me. After the talk I had some people share their experiences of how the Holy Spirit spoke to them through what I�d said. There were different things that touched them, but one and the same Spirit revealed the story to them. Praise and glory be to God!

In meditating on the parables, we can better hear the message of God. In being attentive and seeking God more, we begin to see the full meaning and understanding of the purpose God has for our lives.

Some will understand and some won�t. This depends on how open we are to the Spirit of God, and on how much we allow him access to our heart, mind and soul.