Testimony can often be a word that makes us cringe because the thought of sharing every single detail of our lives and story is scary. We fear rejection and the possibility of feeling more shame by others. We open ourselves enough to share 98% of our stories with others, but we leave the last 2% out in fear that no one will understand the 2% and will reject us for it.
The thing is that all those lies we tell ourselves are false. God didn’t ask us to trust in Him only 98% of the time. Nor did He die for only 98% of our sins/stories, leaving the last 2% to hold onto. Our Savior, who died on the cross, died for 100% of our story and wiped away that final 2% from our lives. We are fully covered by His grace and made new in Him.
Last week we had a girl’s night and opened up the time to be transparent with one another. We participated in “Stand up for your Sister”. As we filled out a sheet of paper with questions marking “yes” or “no”, we were called to trust each other and answer honestly. The papers were swapped, and we anonymously received one of our sister’s papers of which we stood up for every yes marked on the paper.
This exercise was so powerful as we saw that other fellow sisters had struggled with the same temptations and sin as ourselves. We found freedom in standing up for each other and standing in our own stories with others.
This was so awesome, but the best part came after we finished reading through the statements. The room was opened up for women to stand up and share whatever was placed on their hearts. One after another women stood up and shared past struggles and current challenges that were keeping them from freedom in Christ. Together we were united and touched as our fellow sisters shared from their hearts. For me personally, as people stood up and shared parts of their story, parts of my story started to make sense and I started walking into even more freedom.
After four hours of standing up, sharing, and walking into even more freedom, God solidified that He wants us to share 100% of our stories. It taught us all that there are people who can handle the final 2% and we wont be rejected or feel more shame about sharing it. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
There is so much power in “Me Too”. There is so much freedom in sharing our testimonies fully and walking into freedom. God intends us to be free, full of joy, and passionate about life. Shame, rejection, and fear have NO PLACE in our lives or stories.
What part of your testimony are you holding onto and not sharing. What is the final 2% that you are too ashamed to let out of the deep depths of your soul? I encourage you to seek freedom. Christ has fully covered you 100%, I challenge you to go live in that truth. Your story matters. Walk in freedom and share it. God will meet you in the midst of sharing and will continue to call you into more freedom.
Yours Truly,
Michelle
*Selfie before the entire squad headed out for bar ministry! Such an incredible ministry! More to come in a later blog.
