As Christians, this time of year draws our focus to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as we celebrate Easter. It is a joyful season to cherish the glory of this world-changing event—one that radiates outward from the very center of God’s Story.
God’s Story is, in fact, the first of the Medford Gospel Mission’s three core values. His Story shapes everything we do, from how we understand brokenness in our community to the kinds of programs and services we offer.
All of us—you and me, the men and women in our program, those stuck in poverty, and those who are well off—are guided and shaped by the stories we believe. You could say that we are storied creatures: people who long for a story that tells us the truth about who God is, who we are, and who others are meant to be.
Theologian Michael Horton describes it this way: everyone is living out of a story, even if they can’t articulate it. Many of us attempt to write our own story—inventing our own character, casting other people (and even God) as supporting actors in the movie of our lives. But God has given us the greatest story ever told, and the Holy Spirit is the casting director, sweeping us into a drama centered on being “in Christ” rather than “in Adam.”
Because we are storied creatures, when we reject God’s story—the story of the Bible—we inevitably create our own using the broken and distorted narratives offered by the world around us. Popular culture is filled with examples of these false stories: stories of being lost and without purpose, unforgivable and unchangeable, hopeless and without a future.
At the Mission, we have the privilege of sharing God’s Story with men and women every day. As we do, some come to realize that the story culture has been telling them has quietly become the narrative of their lives. But many experience the joy of embracing a new story—one grounded in truth, grace, and hope.
God’s Story is a story of purpose. Scripture tells us that “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). That purpose is lived out daily as we seek to glorify Him. Even when we stumble or place obstacles in the way, God remains faithful to His purposes.
It is also a story of forgiveness. The book of Acts calls us to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising the gift of the Holy Spirit. This new life is lived out as disciples—learning, growing, and walking together within the local church.
And God’s Story is a story of hope. The Gospel allows us to face the realities of life—sickness, pain, and even death—without despair, because we know this is not the final chapter. Revelation reminds us of the day when God will dwell with His people, wipe every tear from their eyes, and bring an end to death, mourning, crying, and pain.
At the Medford Gospel Mission, we deeply value God’s Story. In fact, we depend on it to do the work of true transformation in people’s lives. This Easter season, we invite you to pray for us as we continue striving to bring God’s Story to the lost and gather them into a new way of life.
Partner with us in God’s work of relational restoration.