What’s Your Story?
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me…” ~Jesus
John 5:36-37
Jesus had a story, I have a story, you have a story–we all have a story to tell. Our story is our testimony. The problem is, some people never tell their story. Instead of being open and honest about it we hide it, either because we are ashamed of it, embarrassed by it, or because the plans for our story didn’t pan out how we wanted them to. However, once we begin to understand who we are, we can change the world by telling it!
The most important testimony of all time is Jesus’. His testimony changed eternity. But for a moment, let’s imagine if Jesus stayed quiet and never told His story? What if He knew what His mission was–to go to the Cross to pay off our sin-debt with God–but He never spoke about it? What if Jesus didn’t open His mouth? What if He simply died on Cross and then came back to life with no explanation?
Do you see how important it is to exercise your testimony? Your story? It’s very important! People don’t know what you don’t tell them!
To be clear, I’m not saying you need to force words out of your mouth, or stay in a constant state of stress over who all you’re talking to about God. Oh no, just the opposite. I’m saying, be yourself. As you are yourself, the words and actions which will explain your testimony will flow from you organically.
Anxiety is a red flag that you are off course. However, don’t get anxiety confused with the need for courage! Our courage comes from within–from the Holy Spirit! We all have times in our lives when courage is needed to move forward. Courage is not the absence of being uncomfortable, it’s the power of God within us to push forward despite being uncomfortable.
We need your story! Yes, yours! YOU! DEAR READER! WE NEED YOU! We don’t need more fake-happy pictures on social media–we need some grit! We need some grime! We need some dirt! We need people being real!
Just like we needed Jesus’ story, we need yours too. We are a Body of Christ and we all work together. Somebody out there right now, somewhere, will benefit greatly from knowing what you’ve been through. Their life will be greatly improved from hearing or reading about your past, your current situation, and what Jesus is doing in you and through you.
Here’s a secret I’ve learned from God’s Spirit: to tap into the courage you need to be active with your story, begin to separate your who from your do. Separate your identity from your actions. What is your identity? You are a child of God who is sealed up with His Spirit forever! Therefore, no action of yours can change that. No action of yours can decrease that. No action of yours can improve that! This is the good news of the New Covenant–the gospel of grace! The free gift of complete righteousness and adoption into God’s family! (See Ephesians 1:5,13, 2:8-9, John 1:12, 1 John 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:13, Acts 20:24, Hebrews 6:11-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
So speak up! Grace is active, not idle! As the Holy Spirit teaches you more about who you are in your spirit, He will want you to use this new information to let others know about the same reconciliation available to all who will believe (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). There is no pressure on you! But there will always be a healthy sense of needing to take action because God lives in you and He is very active!
For some of us, we think we don’t have the right to do this because of being stuck in a sin pattern. You know what? Who gives a crap about that! Speak up anyway! How do you think you will ever break free?! Freedom from the actions and attitudes that don’t match up with our sainthood can only happen by way of truth and transparency. By continually shining a light on the dark parts of our thinking, we can finally get set free! Friend, we–our spirits–are already free! It’s the unrenewed areas of our thought life that has paper handcuffs on! Jesus said so Himself:
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (See John 8:36)
So today, my friends, know this: Your spirit is free! You are a spirit! You are a spirit who has a story to tell–so tell it and live it! Are you not sharing your story because your meticulously-laid plans fell through? Or is it because someone attempted to ruin your life and now you’re heartbroken? That’s the stuff God wants to use! So speak up! Speak out! Your story will help heal the wounds of others as well as your own!
A prayer for you: Good morning, Heavenly Father. Thank you for another day alive! What an honor it is to have life! Today, I want to thank you for giving me the courage to share my testimony, my story. You knew all along how therapeutic it would be, as well as how it would impact the lives of those who struggle with the same stuff. Your Word says in Revelation that we overcome the enemy with our testimony, and that’s the truth! Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you. For those who are on the fence about telling their story, please, pull them off and into your grace. Give them the courage they need to simply voice, type, tweet, post–anything to be active–letting others know what you’ve done! In Christ’s awesome name I pray, amen.
This devotional is from 60 Days for Jesus, Volume 2. Get your copy here!