Last month, I attended the Canadian International Biblical Story Tellers’ Festival. The Keynote speaker Cindy Mayhew shared both biblical and personal stories and brought us hope that this hurting, violent world can be transformed. Over the day and a half. she gave us the following:

Learn and tell Jesus’ stories of love, respect and forgiveness like the one about the woman caught in adultery.  “He who is without sin, cast the first stone,” Jesus said to those who were ready to judge and punish. And one after another they all went away. “Go and sin no more,” Jesus told the woman.

Learn and tell the stories from our history, stories of our mistakes and the damage we have caused. Stories of residential schools and children who were badly abused. Stories of mining companies that are exploiting third world countries. Bring the violence and the hate out into the light. Include the stories of those who have found healing and hope through God’s presence and action.

Learn and tell the stories of corporations and groups who have taken risks for goodness so that our environment is cared for, our people can find new life.

Learn and tell the stories of your parents and grandparents, stories of caring for your neighbour through building parks, starting food banks, sitting with a friend as she dies.

Learn and tell your own stories of God’s pushing you, or nudging you to call home and discovering your call was an answer to prayer. Learn and tell the stories of God’s action in this world today.

As you speak God’s story of love, you will truly make a difference. Your actions and words will help transform the world one person and one story at a time.  You will discover that you can sing the song, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” because you are bringing peace to this world.

“Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)