Is the story you tell yourself.
It’s influential because, after all, it’s right. You know it’s right, because you invented it. You’re the storyteller.
You’re the main character in your own story. So you can give your character a big pile of unforgivable guilt and shame to haul around. You can make her too young, or give him too few resources to accomplish anything worthwhile.
You might tell a different story. You might make your character a forgiven child of God. You might place him at just the right age, with just the right resources, to do what God created him to do.
Either story, repeated over and over, will influence every choice.
I talked to a man recently who thinks his internal story is determined by external circumstances, stuff beyond his control. I pointed to people around him in pretty much identical situations who seem to be living radically different stories. His response? “Yeah, but they don’t see things like I do.”
That’s the other thing about our internal stories. They’re just about impervious to external data or argument. I don’t think we’ll have much luck arguing, convincing, shaming, insisting, or appealing to reason if we want to help people write a healthier, more helpful, more Jesus-centered story.
The only way to help someone write a better story is to show them a better story. Show how to follow a dream, how to be a community, how to demonstrate grace, how to trust and forgive.
Takes relationship. And time. And patience, perseverance, kindness, and a lot of other long-term stuff. Those things surprise people, and they matter a lot more than we realize.
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A guy spoke to me over the weekend about the FREEDOM TOUR. He’s been watching, thinking, wondering for a couple of years.
I sensed that his story has changed. He used to be a character who stood and watched and thought, “Wow, I wish I could do that.”
Now I think he says, “I’m a little scared, but I’m ready. Lets go!”
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I’d love to hear your story and get you involved in bringing HOPE and FREEDOM to the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. We have four different options that offer everyone an opportunity to join the team.
Join the 500-mile tour. From June 17-26, a team of cyclists will ride from Cheyenne to Raton Pass on an epic journey to fight injustice. Join a great community and experience the joy of shared sacrifice for a common purpose. www.frontrangefreedomtour.org
BRAND NEW OPPORTUNITY! Join the FREEDOM TOUR Team at ELEPHANT ROCK. RIDE THE ROCK on June 5 with the FREEDOM TOUR Team, receive a discounted entry fee to the Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, choose your distance, commit to raise funds for the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. https://richsride.org/frontrangefreedomtour/elephant-rock-registration/ (Course info/maps: http://www.elephantrockride.com/)
FREEDOM TOUR PROLOGUE Saturday, June 11. 30 and 60-mile routes. $75 fee includes lunch and custom team cycle jersey. https://richsride.org/prologue-registration/
HOME OF HOPE CHALLENGE (Walk Cycle Run) Set your own goal, log your miles, raise funds using our online tools. Complete your challenge by June 30. Every mile matters because every child matters. https://richsride.org/frontrangefreedomtour/challenge/