Born in Oklahoma in 1918, this well-known figure spent much of his early adult life making radio commercials. Moving from Missouri to Hawaii, he covered news for the US Navy during World War 2. Although enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, a medical discharge changed the trajectory of his life, eventually catapulting him to international fame.
Despite his work on multiple radio stations, it wasn’t until May 1976 that his voice and fascinating telling of unheard stories caught America’s attention. Paul Harvey premiered his long-running series The Rest of the Story that year, and his popular, supposedly factual tales ended only with his death in 2009.
Although some questioned the veracity of the back-stories he shared about famous events and people, Mr. Harvey’s dramatic voice and retelling of familiar news made him a household name long before the era of the 24-hour news cycle. Newspapers increased his exposure when they published his broadcasts in print, and today you can still find snippets of Paul Harvey’s commentaries in the occasional advertisement or online remembrance videos. His voice and personable style enshrined him forever as a beloved and trusted national and international character.
The Bible introduces twelve men who lived with and learned from Jesus during His three years of earthly ministry, each with a back story. Peter — a rough fisherman — denied Christ three times. Thomas doubted the resurrection until he had a personal encounter with Jesus. Nathaniel was a skeptic, wondering if anything good could come from Nazareth (John 1:45-46). James and John earned nicknames as the “Sons of Thunder.”
These originally unremarkable men became great leaders in the early church, many martyred due to their unyielding testimony about Jesus being the Son of God. They were everyday human beings forever changed by the Messiah’s message of salvation. Even their critics recognized the company they kept (Acts 4:13).
We may never be featured on a news report or earn international accolades, but we CAN effect change in our world. As with the lives of those first disciples of Christ, God wants to transform us into the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29). Let Him begin YOUR “rest of the story” today.
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