What is your testimony?
I cannot be alone in admitting I often see someone and tell myself what I think their “story” is.
You know, like I see a mom with 2 well behaved kids, at 11am, pushing her shopping cart full of groceries out of the store, to load her nice new car. I think, she must be a stay-at-home mom, in a wonderful marriage. He must have a great paying job, and they are raising such disciplined, obedient kids. They must have a perfect life. Perfect family. Just perfect.
Yes, in the seconds I saw her maybe I told myself this story.
There is a very good chance, none of what I told myself is true.
Over the past year or so I have learned just how wrong “my story” of someone is. Even if I imagine something great; it’s just that: my imagination.
In reality, we all have a story, most of us have stories with really bad things in it. Things we have done. Things that have been to us. We have secrets. We have things that may be well known but still these things are all part of our story. They shape us. These things help or hurt; they mold us into the person we become. Yes, we can heal and change, but at some point, they affected us or even those around us.
So, the thing is, I am part of this group, Celebrate Recovery. CR is a faith-based group, and the cool thing is that we learn a lesson on the 12 steps and 8 principles one week and the next week we hear a testimony. This means someone who has found healing and recovery from their hurts, habits or hang-ups, stands up in front of a group of people and allows themself to be vulnerable. They tell their whole story, who they were to who they are now since having a spiritual encounter with Christ. They tell how Christ has working on them, in them and now through them.
for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. -Revelation 12:10-11 AMP
It is hard to be vulnerable, open and honest but when you realize the blood of the Lamb and our testimony is what conquers the accuser, who continues to accuse our brothers and sister, it is no longer about you.
There are people who are so unaware of what Christ offers. Why would, how could you keep the testimony God has given you to yourself?
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible] -2 Timothy 1:8 AMP
When I learned about apologetics and how we need to know how to defend our faith, I was all about learning more.
I sat in this for a while recently.
As I sat, I realized I do not need to know the Bible in and out, I do not need to be able to quote verbatim verses of scripture.
I know who I was. I sinner. A broken, angry, prideful, an idolator. I was driven by greed and pride and sinful behavior. I was in need of a Savior. I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I am now:
a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. -2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
I am living a totally transformed life. I have been redeemed, delivered and my life is a testimony to the mercy and grace of God.
I don’t know if I can “explain” this in a way that could make sense to a person that has no understanding of God other than to tell my testimony, my story. I know I am not who I was. Period. I know it is all because of and thanks to Jesus Christ. Period.
I never knew Jesus until I was about 35. The only knowledge I had before then was a total misunderstanding of who God is. I thought of Him as a record keeper of sin who punished accordingly, and I wanted nothing to do with that. I lived a sinful life, why would I?
So, I guess my point is, we all have a story.
Tell it. Tell it to anyone, anywhere. You never know who needs to hear it. It is not about you; it is for them. Your story might be the only Jesus someone ever hears or sees.
“And I can't help but scream about the way that You moved in
Chaotic love has messed me up so I could live again”
The One That Really Matters (feat. Kari Jobe) Song by Michael W. Smith
This is how we, Christians, should all feel.
Unable to do anything other than scream about the way that God moves in.
Into our broken, sinful hearts.
Into our mess.
Into our pain.
Into our deception.
Loves us right there in that ugliness.
Loves us enough to show us a better life in Him; The One that really matters.
I can live again.
Thank you, Lord. All I am and all I will ever be, is a humble servant to You, the One who is worthy of all the glory.
-L.A. XO
I would love to hear some testimonies. Drop a comment to share yours!