After my last post on “Stewarding Your Story,” I realized I had yet to share my own personal testimony in this space.
However, let me first be very clear about one thing: when I say “your story,” I do NOT mean “your truth.” Beloved, we have no truth outside of the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ, who is the way, THE TRUTH, and the life (John 17:17; 14:6). Amen?
As born-again believers, however, we have a testimony of trusting Christ for our salvation, along with numerous blessings that we often choose not to share. The Lord has entrusted these stories to us as a tool for witnessing and bringing Him glory. (If you haven’t read last week’s blog, you can find it here.) I am often amazed by the testimony entrusted to me, and I pray to turn every part of it—good, bad, or indifferent—back to Jesus.
I was born into a family of loving, God-fearing prayer warriors. I believe this was early evidence of His providential care. As an infant, I needed life-saving brain surgery, so naturally, I’m beyond thankful the Lord placed me in a family that sought the wisdom and help of the Great Physician.
After surgery, my prognosis was grim, but my parents’ faith and advocacy for me never wavered. Having my own children, a miracle as well, has given me a whole new respect for them and overwhelming gratitude. I truly believe God spared my life, and I’m grateful every day that HE got the final say! (That is not to diminish the expertise of a wonderful team of medical professionals, but even they were a part of His providence. I vividly recall in a secondary surgery being prayed over by my neurosurgeon and his colleagues.)
Knowing what I’d overcome gave me, even as a child, an acute awareness of God’s goodness. At the age of 6, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour. That day is etched in my mind and heart forever. Beloved, never get over the day you were saved. In fact, stop and praise God for it now. If you can’t say there’s been a time when you’ve trusted Jesus for salvation, please reach out to me. I’d love to help you get that settled today!
As I grew and exceeded my doctors’ expectations, my parents were faithful to both model witnessing and diligently sought opportunities for me to share my story with others. (I’m thankful they started me early and led the way!) I can recall sitting in hospital rooms, nursing or rehab facilities, and living rooms with people approaching surgery day. It was a blessing to meet them where they were and be able to comfort them. Not because my story said something extraordinary about my family or me… but because it made much of HIM. Whatever testimonies God has given you, don’t waste them. You don’t have to be a great speaker (not even Moses got away with that excuse). Jesus just needs you to be willing to use you!
So, that’s my story, and somewhere along the way I began to summarize it like this: The Lord spared my life, and saved my soul! And indeed, He did!
As we endeavor to live out our faith and share it with others, may we be found steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding for the glory of the Lord.
