Note: this is another installment in a series of breath prayers. You can read the first post here

In recent years there’s been an emphasis on the concept of story. From Bob Goff sharing inspiring examples of how he chose to invest in making his life a great story (and he does tell of exciting adventures and an openness that has brought opportunities that would never have happened with a closed-off attitude), to the TED talks to audiobooks. There’s even been a focus on “narrative” in the media — story is permeating our culture. The thinking is that story connects us, draws us in, makes us aware of our own impact, and helps us listen to the perspective of others. Just because something hasn’t happened to us, it doesn’t mean it’s not a real part of someone else’s lived experience.

When it comes to story the focus in Christian churches quickly pans over to Jesus, the teller of parables, who used examples from everyday life to illuminate complex concepts that blew people’s hair back in their radicalness.

Out of myself, but wanting to go beyond that, wanting what I see in your eyes, not power, but to kiss the ground with the dawn/breeze for company, wearing white pilgrim cloth. I have a certain knowing. Now I want sight.

Rumi

One thing Jesus often did was use figurative language that made metaphoric mincemeat of the religious leaders of the time. I mean, ouch. He didn’t hold back. He was probably quite offensive to a certain set of people, just as he was enthralling to a different set. He upset the balance and he was not sorry. He made people question everything they thought they knew.

The thing about storytelling is that is narrows the gap between “us” and “them”, and helps us see our universal humanity. None of us got where we are without accumulating some life experiences that shaped our opinions and perspectives. Listening respectfully to one another’s stories can help us all have more compassion for one another. No one side has all the answers, and no one side is always wrong about every single thing all the time. I think allowing for that is a sign of maturity, maturity we could all use right now.

When I think about storytelling from a Jesus-informed position, I have to wonder who he’d be calling out right now and who he’d be standing beside. It’s definitely something worth considering…and potentially very convicting if we allow ourselves to really think about it.

This all began because Osheta Moore was hosting breath prayers on Instagram. Please be sure to search for her, as she is a wonderfully nurturing source of grace and spiritual wisdom.