“Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.“

John 21:25 NLT

These are the last two sentences in John’s gospel. His closing reflection of an intimate narrative about Jesus’ earthly ministry and they paint a fascinating visual.

If you are a lover of books, dabble in writing, or an avid reader, you understand the exciting anticipation of a new book. The smell of fresh crisp pages begging for your undivided attention, the individual touch of each and every page, until the folded creases unfold a unique story that resonates with the common human heart.

Books tell stories and the greatest story ever told is God’s Holy Word, transcribed on scrolls, eventually set to print, and reproduced globally as quickly as language translation allows. Yet, John informs that if everything Jesus did in His earthly life and ministry had been written down in books, the world could not contain them.

What a concept! This idea sparks so many questions.

Was this literary hyperbole? Or was John being true to character as the insightful thinker of the group?

Did we just get the highlight reel in all four gospels? If so, how many actual lives did Jesus touch while he walked the earth?

More importantly, how many personal stories remained unwritten?

Or were John’s words prophetic? Is he in fact suggesting that many more books would be written about the things Jesus has done in the lives of thousands, even millions.

As a writer who has only written and published one book, I know the deep pangs of this labor of love in which I tore the veil covering my own insecurities and trusted God with my story, His story through me.

Maybe you have not written a book, but we all have a story. This is why John’s last gospel thoughts are so compelling.

How many personal Jesus stories remain unwritten today? Perhaps enough to fill the whole world?

My friend, have you ever shared your story? Have you ever written down the “things” Jesus has done in your life in a journal, a diary, on a napkin, or a manuscript? After writing one book, my heart longs to write more because Jesus has done so much more since the first one!

If you love and follow Jesus, I know the same is true for you.

The best place to start is your testimony of how God opened your eyes to the truth of Christ’s saving work on the cross. But your salvation story is only the beginning. God’s hand in your life both before and after your salvation are where he develops your character, thickens the plot, creates many unexpected twists and turns in the narrative, and unfolds a deep abiding love story with Him.

As I wrote in my first book, When Only Faith Remains, “God is the Author, I am just the writer.” With God as the Author of your life and faith, I encourage you to tell your story about Jesus. Write it down, publish it if you are so called, let’s fill the world with the lifesaving works of Jesus Christ!

May it be said of all Christ followers, that this world could not contain them because we were made for another world!