What is a “testimony”?
Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrew 2:2, KJV
Jesus is writing a redemptive story for your life. And we call that story a “testimony.”
Simply put, your testimony is the story of your relationship with God, your history with Him.
More than one testimony
Testimonies are often thought of as the story about the day you first came to Christ and were saved. When you went from darkness to marvelous Light. And yes, that is a beautiful and glorious story to tell!
But you have so much more than one testimony to tell. Every time another chain is broken, another past wound is mended, another sickness is healed. Every time you discover more of God’s exceedingly abundant love for you—these are all your testimonies! It’s your history with God.
The testimony of the day you were saved is like telling someone about how you met your spouse. A certain glimmer comes to your eyes as you retell this sacred story.
But just as important are all the other stories you have with your spouse. How you learned to pray together, fight kindly. The losses and victories you shared together. These are also crucial parts of your story and relationship together. The same is true with Christ.
Not a moment, it’s a lifetime
True, we are saved in a moment. Like the thief on the cross. We read in Luke 23:39-43, that He asked Jesus simply to remember him after they died, and Jesus promised he’d be with him in heaven forever and ever. That’s a kind of forgiveness and love we can’t fathom. This man on the cross lived a life of stealing and sin and only had one story to tell of His relationship with Jesus. But it was one of the most powerful testimonies in all of Scripture. He talked to Jesus in his last breath, and then he died.
There are many who pray a prayer and ask God to save them and then don’t ever pick up that conversation again. They go about their lives much like they did before. It’s tragic to have a once in a lifetime meeting with Jesus when you still have a lot of your life to live.
God the Father wants to heal every broken place in your heart and body. He wants to restore your identity fully as His child. He is happy to be your Always by Your Side Helper in every situation life throws at you.
Each and every time you seek the Lord, you will find Him right there beside you, willing and ready. And each time you seek Him and find Him, that’s one more testimony you can store up and treasure.
For example, even just walking into the Cotton Patch or digging up shells on the beach in Captiva… these are some of my testimonies because of how I learned more of God’s wildly extravagant love for me in those moments.
Testimony is more powerful than we imagine!
My mentor says it this way. That every time she tells her testimonies, it strengthens and encourages her own faith first, as she remembers how God came through in the past, knowing if He did it before, He can do it again. And she says secondly, it also strengthens and encourages the people she is sharing her story with.
Revelations 12 says this is how we conquer the devil, the accuser of our souls!
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 & by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Revelations 12:10-11, ESV
The blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony
The word of your testimony is your history with God. It’s retelling the stories of each and every time you encounter God’s heart, wrestle with Him, receive His help and healing. Your testimony is the story of your faith… both your losses and your wins. These are all powerful and will help you overcome!
In loss and tragedy, sometimes we find our most powerful testimonies. And they don’t always end with a nice tidy bow and resolution. There’s power in that too. When Mountains Crumble is my testimony of my relationship with God through losing my husband. Even our doubts and questions for God and gut-wrenching tears are some of our most beautiful testimonies.
If the Lord boils it all down to only two ways we overcome the devil and triumph in the end, let’s pay attention! If the word of our testimony is listed right alongside the powerful blood of Jesus, then sharing your stories about your relationship with God is more powerful than we can imagine!
Let this become part of your normal conversation. The way you talk about that wildly creative thoughtful thing your child did… also talk about that wildly creative thoughtful thing Jesus did. The way you tell stories of how you and your spouse struggled and worked it out together… likewise, tell of your wrestlings with God and how you discovered more of His love for you in the end.
Til next time. Toodle-loo, and Peace be with you!
Your turn!
Did any of your moments with God come to mind as you read this today? This is a safe place to practice sharing your testimony. Big or small, I’d love to hear them all! Do me the honor and share one of your stories with God in the comments below.
