Tell Your Testimony

A few weeks ago, Pastor Nathan preached a sermon titled, “Reach the One.” In it, he communicated the importance of sharing how grace has transformed us–how Jesus has saved and set us free. His words resonated with me and further solidified the conviction I had been feeling about my own testimony.

I’ll never get tired of hearing testimonies from those around me. Hearing how God has worked in and through someone’s life is such a special, tender moment of vulnerability that brings brothers and sisters in Christ closer together. However, have you ever found yourself comparing your testimony to another?

I remember one particular instance when I was prompted to share my testimony with someone to get to know one another better. Though I didn’t go into all of the ins and outs and kept it to the abridged version, when I was finished sharing, their response seemed almost…disappointed. Their response was a mere, “That’s it?” I was left asking myself many questions–wondering what they expected. Was my testimony not exciting enough? Not good enough? Is it not enough of a testimony to share? Then God checked and convicted me. He challenged me with what qualifies as a “good testimony” and admonished me to change how I expressed “that’s it.” What qualifies a testimony as “good” is simple–Jesus. That’s it. 

I’ve never heard someone share their testimony, and afterward, felt it wasn’t impactful. So why did I let pride get in the way and worry about what others would think of my testimony? A testimony is a testimony to God’s goodness; it has nothing to do with us, yet the devil uses the tactic of fear and imposter syndrome to keep us from stepping out and sharing Jesus with others because he knows just how powerful our stories are–every single one of them. “But Jesus said, ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been’” (Mark 5:19).

Sometimes we feel that we need a “perfect” testimony or to be perfect ourselves, though that’s impossible because the only one that was and always is perfect is Jesus. Before you hesitate to share your testimony or urge someone with a more “eventful” one to share theirs instead, remember this: you have a salvation story to share, and if someone has experienced the same thing you did, your testimony may help set that person free. Allow what God has done in your life to encourage others that God will do it in their lives, too. 

Let the word of our testimonies be yielded as weapons to use against the enemy, conquering him by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). 

Too often we make our testimonies about ourselves, when in fact, they are all about Him. Nothing He does is insignificant. The power of our testimonies lies in what Jesus did for us, and that is the same for everyone. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us–there’s nothing regular or insignificant about that!

If you have ever felt that your testimony didn't "measure up," I want to remind you that He has called us to share what He has done in our lives with others. So, whether He has rescued you from the clutches of addiction, or you've been saved and serving Him since you were small, or somewhere in between – it's not the stories that truly make the difference, it's His story playing out in our lives, whatever way He has chosen to do so.

“I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.” Psalm 71:15-16