Every Story

              I have to confess that I am kind of a numbers guy.  Not a “sit in a room by myself with spreadsheets” kind of numbers guy.  But I like looking at the numbers for the big picture.  I like trying to figure out what the numbers are saying – what story do they tell?   I can get motivated by numbers too- I like number goals.  I know most people aren’t really motivated by numbers or goals, especially if you talk church.  It is too corporate and CEO ish and it doesn’t go with the whole organic, earthy vibe we have going on.  Cool.

                I read something a while back that connected the dots for me and I hope for others. It makes the connection between numbers and the church in a rather elegant fashion.  I don’t remember who wrote it or where I read it but here it is:

 

                “Every number has a name.

                        Every name has a story.

                                Every story matters to God.”

 

                That is the real essence of numbers that I think we can all agree on.  Every story matters to God.  And every story should matter to me.  Every name.  Every number. 

                In the book of Luke, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd with 100 sheep.  One of the sheep gets lost.  The shepherd goes to find the one.  Why?  Because every story matters to God.

                I try to remember that each time I walk through a store.   Each time I stand in line at the bank.  Each time I pull out into traffic.  Each Sunday as we gather for worship.  Every number has a name.  Every name has a story.  Every story matters to God.

                What’s your story?