I’ve said it before … maybe even in another blog, but I LOVE to tell stories. I tell some pretty good ones too, mainly because I am one of those people that weird stuff just happens to and has always happened to. Something I love even more than telling stories though, is hearing them. I love happy stories, sad stories, love stories… I just love them all… Especially the God stories.
Being on a squad with over 40 other believers, we have LOADS of God stories. I love them! I want to hear them all (lofty goal for sure). Some have stories, like mine, where they lived without God, met him, and everything changed. Some have stories where they always knew who he was but didn’t get to know him ’til later. Some have new stories, some have old. Some stories are full of biblical knowledge and wisdom, some are full of God’s voice, some are full of Godly people for direction while other’s rely on the Holy Spirit’s direction.
Lately, the Lord has really laid on my heart how important these stories are… Each.And.Every.One.Of.Them.
Merriam- Webster defines Testimony like this:
- a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
- evidence or proof of something
- a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience
We use the word testimony an AWFUL lot, and we often equate it to absolutely everything that has ever happened in my life. It doesn’t have to be that way,it can be a short story about one instance too. Either way, here’s why it’s important:
Your testimony is your written or spoken statement… your proof of what God has done in your life. It’s a public recounting, meaning you are making what you know public. Something no one can argue because it’s about you and God.
How many people have you met and gotten to hear their testimony? I bet not a single one of them was the same. Similarities suuure, but not the same. So when you tell your story, you are sharing something tailor made for YOU by God. How cool is that? He’s written your story different than anyone else’s… Sounds like something worth sharing to me.
Let’s talk about John and how he tells his story. The bible is full of …rough… characters. John is not one of them. For all intents and purposes, John was a pretty average guy (except the whole getting to live with Jesus thing, but bear with me). He didn’t have a huge change or unbelievable run in with God. Here’s how he starts his story:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John 1: 1-8
His story starts at the beginning, but not his beginning. The beginning of the earth. “In the beginning was the Word.” This is wayyyy, before John existed. My story starts there too. So does yours. Why? Because He chose you before the creation of the earth. Your story starts there. How stinkin’ cool is that? He picked you out for this time and place and all that stuff way back when “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Then it goes on to talk about how great God is. That’s the purpose of your story! “Without him nothing was made that has been made.” Including you and the things you’ve been though. Through your story we get to see how “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.” So tell your story! Even when you think it’s not big deal (we will go into why it is later).
Only after that does John’s story say anything about John. It tells us he was sent by God. He came to be a witness. This means he came to tell others and through him others might believe. That’s your job too. Share your story so that others can see the light and believe.
He’s telling us how important our stories are. They are important to God, important to the growth of the kingdom and important to those you come in contact with.
“My testimony is pretty boring.” This is my LEAST FAVORITE phrase, possibly of all time. Want to know why? Because there is nothing boring about God’s provision, love, deliverance, [pursuit, redemption or anything else he might have put in your story.
- Did you grow up in church? — Not boring. This speaks volumes to those who didn’t learn the stories, didn’t know what God looked like. You have a LIFETIME of God stories. Tell people how he pursued you.
- Are your parents Christians? — What kind of example were they? What did you learn about God through them? How is their relationship different from others? Definitely not boring.
- Did you have a good group of Christian friends? — How were they different than other kids as you grew up? Did they help keep you out of trouble? How did they treat you? Never underestimate the testimony of a good friend.
- Happy family growing up? — There are so many that don’t have that. Share the parts of your story where you go to do things together. What did God teach you about love? How was your view of the world molded by that.
I could go on and on and on. But for the sake of hoping people will actually read this, let’s move on.
No matter how the middle part of your story goes. All our stories end in the same place, and its pretty dramatic. You ready?
Every story… of every believer… ends with the undeniable, dramatic redemption that is in Christ’s death and resurrection.
I mean, I don’t know if you’ve read those passages in the Bible, but it’s about as dramatic as it gets. But he did it for you and your story, no matter how the middle part goes, just like he died for mine.
In your story, find him, find the light and know the redemption that he has for everyone. Use your story to reflect his light, like John. Use your story as proof, a recounting of the unique way he has crafted you and your journey. No matter how it looks, it’ll speak volumes to who our God is and just how big his love is.
**step off soap box**
Thanks for reading. I know it was a little long.
‘Til next time
–Dace
