Podcast Episode #47- The testimony of a lifelong Christian. Why I waited so long to share it, and why it’s important for you to share yours!
What is a Testimony?
Why is it important to share our Christian testimony? What is a testimony? Simply stated it is an individuals personal experience or account of an event or circumstance. Only the individual can share what they witnessed, felt or heard, without contestation. Even if you disagree with their point of view, you can’t deny their experience.
What makes a testimony more compelling to the masses? One that is shared by many witnesses. When more than one person has the same perspective and account, especially over thousands of years, this makes an impact. So it is for the accounts of those who have experienced personally who God is, who Jesus is, what the Bible says and why they stand on it as truth.
Why I almost didn’t share it
I’ve been walking with Jesus as long as I can remember. There is not a time I don’t remember talking with Him, hearing His voice, hearing (and eventually reading) His Word. I’ve never doubted His presence, and that might make some feel skeptical of my testimony. It’s one of the reasons I have waited this many years to actually formally share my testimony. I thought my testimony lacked the depth of those who had walked hard paths, or had walked away from God and come back. What God has been showing me lately is that is a lie, from the pit of hell set to keep me somewhat at bay. When God put on my heart to do this series and told me He wanted me to start with my testimony, so here I am trusting Him. Is it possible that He could use it for His glory?
As I was spending time with Him and in the Word He brought this scripture to my attention:
‘Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
Revelation 12:7-12
The enemy is defeated by the blood of the Lamb, (Jesus sacrifice on the cross) and the word of our testimony (Us sharing our eye witness accounts to His goodness and Glory in our lives, when we made a choice to accept Him as our Savior). This has been happening since Creation. God’s rescue plan,(Christ’s Sacrifice) since the fall in the garden of eden. His people have been telling of His Might and love and faithfulness. This has been passed onto generations, through Jesus fulfillment of prophecy as Messiah, exactly how it was written. Since His death, resurrection and accession, His people have been telling their testimonies, which have been so miraculously preserved and carefully translated.
This is why He wanted me to share my testimony, but He wants you to shares yours too. Even if your story is a lot like mine, surely you have seen God. Surely you have witnessed His goodness and power. Otherwise why do you still believe?
My Testimony
Over my years of walking with Jesus I have done a lot of growing. The things I trusted and believed as child before I really experienced life were only confirmed as I walked from childhood to my teen years and then into being an adult. I had a fair amount of questions over those years and sought answers through many different sources. As I look back on my life thus far, (39 years old) I can truthfully say God has met me in every question and gracefully guided me to truth.
There was a time I plugged my ears to God, when I was dating someone I knew wasn’t good or walking with God. I can say that trying to tune Him out was one of the hardest things I’ve ever tried to do in my life. But as you’ll hear on the podcast when I repented and turned to Him, I found He was just there, arms already open. He didn’t even need to run to me, He had never left. The sweetness of that moment remains an anchoring point for my soul. It was the moment in my adulthood that I chose Him.
Where am I at today?
He continues to meet me daily, in so many ways. On the Podcast I’m really only scratching the surface when it comes to my relationship with the Lord. There would not be enough time for me to tell of all the ways He speaks to me and all the things I’ve seen Him do. Both the miraculous and the simple.
If you are questioning your faith, or you don’t know much about Jesus it’s ok. God is big enough for your questions and doubts. I truly believe if you honestly seek Him, you will find Him.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
If you are already a Christ follower and have a story like mine, share it! If you have had a sorted past but are walking with Christ now, don’t hesitate to share it! It may be the thing someone needs to hear today!
