Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old. Matthew 13:52 (ESV)
Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved a great story. She would climb the metal tower that held her family’s TV antenna, and when she reached the top, she’d settle between the slopes of her roof to wander the world through her favorite books.
Now what kind of child, you might ask, would read on a roof?
It’s a question I’d love to answer over a pot of Darjeeling tea. You could tell me your story, and I’d share how God used those quiet moments in rural Ohio to inspire, encourage, and direct my path for the past fifty years.
Stories have the power to change lives, for better or worse, but in this post, let’s focus on the better. Because I firmly believe that God loves to speak through the mystery of story and share with us the secrets of His kingdom.
Secrets of the kingdom of heaven.
That’s what Jesus called the knowledge found in His parables. In Matthew 13, He walked down to a lake where He began sharing these secrets through story. He spoke about a farmer sowing his seed on both good and bad soil, then about an enemy who planted weeds in a field of wheat. He shared about a mustard seed and a woman mixing yeast into her dough.
Later that day, perhaps gathered around a meal, Jesus told His disciples about a treasure hidden in a field and another about the finest of pearls. Then he finished with a tragic fishing story so they wouldn’t forget the eternal cost of choosing evil over good.
Jesus, the greatest storyteller of all, understood the power of a parable. He knew a compelling story could slip right past the barriers of someone’s mind and plant itself in their heart. He knew, long before the Stanford study in 2013, that stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone.
Why do we remember stories more often than stats? A reader or listener often inserts themselves into a great story. They feel what the characters feel and wonder what will happen next. They marvel at a plot twist they never expected and might even be inspired to make a change or try something new because-
A great story has the power to stir one’s heart and soul.
When a story stirs a reader or listener, they’ll usually share it with someone else, passing the best stories from one person to another, building community, understanding, and empathy along the way.
After Jesus finished regaling His disciples with parables in Matthew 13, He said the most remarkable thing. Every scribe, He declared, who is a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom treasure to share.
Jesus wants His disciples, writers and teachers alike, to share their stories.
I suspect you have some amazing stories stored up as treasure. Stories that only you, the guardian of these gems, can tell.
So I ask, over our imaginary pot of tea:
What treasured stories (new and old) do you need to share?
Perhaps it’s something from your past. An event you’ll never forget. A miracle.
Did you find hope in a difficult place? A friend who stepped in to comfort or help carry your load? Maybe you had the honor of blessing someone else.
Joshua 1:9 urges us to be strong and courageous. “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Wherever you go or, I might add, be strong and courageous whenever you bring out the treasure that He has gifted you so you can comfort, encourage, and inspire others.
That little girl from Ohio still reads a lot of stories, but now she writes them too. You can find more information about her many stories at melaniedobson.com, Facebook (@melaniedobsonfiction), or Instagram (@melbdobson).
