Storytelling is a very powerful communication technique and there are four primary metaphors that God uses to challenge and help us understand his ways.

Farming

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:2b-9

Fishing

“…. the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

Matthew 13:47-51a

Athletics

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Military

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Matthew 8:8-10

Irene continues to “sow the good seed” on the Amyloid journey.  She is a “fisher of men” by drawing people closer to God because of her faithful testimony.  She is running in such a way as to “win the prize” and she is spiritually prepared for battle.

Candidly, there are times when the Amyloid journey, which is quickly approaching 18 months, can be compared to fighting a 15 round boxing match …. except that it feels like the 18th round …. with an unknown number of rounds still ahead.  The tiring body craves relief from the battle and longs for victory.  Because “training” was planned for an intense 15 rounds …. not 18 and beyond, existing physical, spiritual and emotional resources are depleted and reserves are counted on to backfill the present need.  An extreme fatigue factor begins to settle in on a variety of fronts …. and all relative synonyms apply …. exhaustion, languidness, languor, lassitude, or listlessness.

However, we’re revived by the Word ….

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ….
Hebrews 12:1

Fight the good fight of faith.
1 Timothy 6:12

Do not become weary in well doing.
Galatians 6:9

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Storytelling and metaphors are powerful communication techniques.  They magnify a message like a megaphone to the heart …. and as the bell rings for the “next round” of the tumultuous match …. we yearn for restoration from Almighty God and His Word.

Caminando con Fé

Dave