(This post was written by Michael Wallace, High School Pastor)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  It’s a great day.  It’s a day where you will probably find yourself around a table surrounded by family and/or friends, and you will get a chance to share what you are thankful for.

What surprises me about this cultural norm is that in all my years of Thanksgivings I have never seen anyone read from notes.  Not once has anyone needed to look at a calendar or call someone to help them remember the reasons that they have to give thanks.  Strange, right?  Why don’t we do those things? Because the process of me sharing what I am thankful for is simply me sharing my story.  It’s easy because it’s all about me.  There’s no memorization or studying or pre-planning necessary.

Why isn’t sharing our faith the same way?  If you are a Christ-follower, you have a story about how you met Jesus and how he changed your life.  I have found that sharing your story is the most effective way to tell others about Jesus because in your story you will inevitably define salvation.  Your story probably flows something like this: “I was like this…and I did this…and I realized that I needed Jesus…I accepted Him…I have a relationship… and I live differently.”  Your story of coming to Jesus, no matter how many different twists and turns it takes, or characters that are involved, or moments of conflict that arise, is the story of who Jesus is and why He did what He did on the cross.

Here’s the great thing about YOUR story: people will listen to it.  Maybe it’s just because they don’t want to be rude, but most people will hear you out on a story about YOU.  And the best part is, they will be able to identify themselves in your story…which is a great way to help them identify their need for Jesus.

What’s your story? When was the last time you shared it?