telling your story.

Read John 9

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. (Revelation 12:9 ESV).

I was sitting in a meeting last night for care groups on storytelling, the different elements, the impact, the boundaries, and everything that encompasses storytelling in care situations, whether in a group or individual setting, for the caregiver and the care receiver as well. Very interesting, and definitely very helpful. It was a Eureka moment for me, and it came to me much later, afterward, as I was lying in bed thinking about everything we had talked about. Your “story” is nothing but the modern term for “testimony.” Those of us who are old enough to remember testimony nights at church can relate. We would find them awkward, even boring at times, but nevertheless, impacting. And, how many of us remember our youth leaders scolding us because, “your behavior can damage your testimony”, or “if you don’t know how to present the gospel to someone, just tell your story (your testimony).”

            Yes, our story, our testimony, can be powerful, more than we will ever know. It speaks of what God has done, what He is doing, and ultimately, what He can and will do if we let Him. Stories (testimonies) can help us connect with other people in a way that no other medium can. People will identify with us because, at some level, their struggle is our struggle. It may have a different name, but in the end, our need for God and His grace, while it may manifest itself differently, is the same. Telling our story can bring about transformation in someone’s life, and yours, like you never imagined.

            But sharing our story (our testimony) takes vulnerability and courage. It is not easy to put yourself out there and let others see you without the mask we are so conditioned to wear. Some of us remember being told, “You wash your dirty laundry at home.” Well, sometimes nothing could be further from the truth. And although yes, discretion is always something to be factored in, because while you don’t want to be flaunting personal, intimate details openly to the world, your experience could be the very thing someone needs to hear to change their life. Hence, the success of programs like AA, Al-Anon, NA, and so many other recovery programs. The one thing they all have in common is the personal stories and the vulnerabilities they present.

            Everyone has a story (a testimony). If you think you don’t, ask God to show you and help you find it. A story told in the right setting, at the right moment, by the right means, to the right people, and the right moment, and for the right reason, can unleash a series of events in the lives of others like we may never know of, and can be like the proverbial little snowball from our childhood cartoons running down the hill that grows and grows to become a force to be reckoned with. I don’t know if that really happens in real life, but it makes for a good illustration.

            Tell your story. Share your testimony.

Father, I would not have come to you if not because I needed you, so I do have a story to tell. I do have a testimony of what you have done in my life. If I have taken it for granted, please, show it to me, and give me the courage to tell it, and the vulnerability to be transparent and let others into my life, so they can see yours. That way others can see what you can do in their lives as well. Thank you for the grace you have shown me constantly. In Jesus’ name, amen.