One thing you will notice if you honestly take a look at Jesus, is that He was no ordinary communicator. His words were more like heart surgery. Somehow He was able to bypass people’s prejudices and get right to the core.
He was a storyteller.
Whether a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, or the foolish dude building a house on the beach, he always had characters up His sleeve to get His point across.
Stories, not sermons.
In fact, he told His close associates that He spoke pretty much everything He wanted to share in parables – because they work so well as wrappers for truth.
“Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.
That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.” Matt. 13:12-13 MESSAGE
We now live in a time when new stories must be told.
Truth must be spoken, but how will it be packaged?
The letterbox of many people’s hearts is taped tight, with a clear sign pasted above: “No Religious Junk Mail”.
How do we reach those who don’t want to be reached? How do we penetrate an increasingly cold culture?
Stories must be told!
Stories in image.
Stories in song.
Stories in word.
Stories on stage and screen.
Stories that carry God.
Inspired imaginations act as bridges to the heart. Too often we come with arguments or reasonings that wrestle the mind. But the mind is not the victor’s prize – it is the heart we need to reach.
Father has a passion and a plan to reach this generation. A generation given to wild imaginations, and driven by distraction. He is calling a elite force of artists to move across the lines. Men and women willing to be misunderstood and maligned by the mainstream. A tribe ready to be sidelined by the establishment and shunned by chilly religion. Firebrands awakened to the Mind of the Spirit.
It is indeed time for new stories to be told.
For our theatres to be filled with redemptive tales.
Musicals to sing and show the powers of the world to come.
Books to grace the shelves and furnish young minds with light-filled worlds beyond their own.
It is time for a revolution in the arts with the Church at the forefront.
Move over Harry and His Dark Materials. Let a new day rise to replace Twilight with heroines full of grace.
I am calling the poets and painters to wield their weapons – pen and brush – offer them afresh to the King and His cause.
I am standing, an emissary of Heaven, with conscription papers in my hand.
Will you sign?
Will you go?
New stories must be told.
Will your brave story be one one of him?
