Nothing to Share
“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)
One day the Senior Pastor of my former church walked into our staff meeting and announced that over the next two months each Sunday one of us would be sharing our testimony with the congregation. I looked around the room and realized that they had all come to the Lord as adults, or were “new converts.”
I, on the other hand, was a “biological,” a term meaning that I was raised by Christian parents. They all had dramatic “before” stories. I did not. I declared, “I can’t do it. I don’t have a testimony. I didn’t have a conversion. No U-turn. When I was seven, I decided that I wanted Jesus to be MY personal Lord and Savior. I have always walked with God—I just used to hold my parents’ hands to do it.”
With glistening eyes, Pastor Jim said, “You do have a story to share. Your testimony is the one that we all hope our children will have.” Those words empowered me to boldly, proudly tell of what God has done in my life.
Webster’s lists a testimony as something that someone says, especially in a court of law, while formally promising to tell the truth; proof or evidence that something exists or is true.
Not everyone who comes to Jesus can point to some horrible past life, but we have all sinned. Not everyone did a U-turn in life, but we have all been changed. Not everyone remembers life without Jesus, but He has made a difference in all our lives. Not everyone has a dramatic testimony, but we all have our story to share about what Jesus means to us—and that IS dramatic. I truly can say, “Without Christ I would have no good thing. He is my life, my love and my hope. I have accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior and endeavor to live a Christian life.”
Precious Jesus, thank You for my believing parents and the Christian foundation they gave me. Forgive me for focusing on myself and my fear, rather than on YOU and what YOU have done in and through me. Help me to share my story of Your love whenever I have the opportunity. Amen.
Amen, what a blessing to have no old baggage that sometime haunts.
I regret that I came to truly know Him later in life. I sometimes imagine how much better it could have been, how many battles I could have avoided, how much pain and stess I could have sidestepped if I had known Him “back in the day.” You are blessed.
In Bible college 40 years ago, I heard a chapel speaker say he hopes his kids have “boring” testimonies. When we believe what God says the first time He says it, no drama is necessary. I grew up in church too, but only started to really let go of fear after I was 50. We ALL have issues God longs to help us with.
Thank you for sharing.