I have a LOUSY testimony!

Truth or a myth?

We're beginning a new series this Sunday called Mythbusters. During the next few weeks, we'll look at various statements about Christianity and put them to the test to find out if they are actually true.

AND we're also using this as an excuse to let Clay do some pretty exciting experiments on the stage (just like the show). It doesn't really have anything to do with the message but it's gonna look REALLY cool!

Anyway...

Here's a myth I believed for a long time: I have a lousy Christian testimony.

1 Peter 3:15 says that we should always be ready to tell others the hope we have in Jesus. That sounds great, but what if you don't really have an exciting testimony to share?

Let me explain. I've heard a lot of amazing stories in my day. I even read an incredible testimony last week in the Ledger. All of them have been amazing examples of God's grace.

Here's what I believed was the formula for success:

1. Start off with a good and somewhat decent life.

2. Go crazy somewhere along the way and just totally lose your mind. This would usually involve drugs, ending up in prison, setting fire to your sister's Barbies, etc.

3. Hit rock bottom HARD and know it! Realize that there is nothing you can do to help yourself.

4. Reach out to God, give Him your life, receive His amazing grace and have a complete transformation!

5. And then stand up in front of a crowd, blow them away with your story and help others realize that if they're at the bottom, Jesus offers restoration!

Preach it! I LOVE hearing those stories!! They are so powerful!!

Not to take anything away from people who have struggled and been pulled out of the mire ... but ... my problem is that I've never really hit rock bottom (knock on wood). I've never had that dramatic earth-shattering cinematic turnaround.

Now, please don't hear that I think I'm perfect. That's not what I'm getting at. I definitely sin and fall short of the glory of God, ALL THE TIME!!! However, I've never really had one of those devastating moments of rolling around in the slop with the pigs.

So for the longest time, I thought I didn't have a testimony worth sharing. It just wasn't interesting enough. I didn't think God could use my story until I finally stood in front of the congregation and shared it. With a deep breath, here's a portion of what I said:

I've always felt the love of Jesus in my life. I asked Him into my heart at a young age and grew up knowing that He loved me and desired a personal relationship. I had parents that loved Jesus and taught me what it meant to serve Him. I've definitely messed up along the way, but (by and large) I've always tried my best to be in His will.

I thought to myself, "This is NOT very exciting."

But someone came afterwards and with great encouragement told me, "People need to know it's possible to grow up in the love of Christ. Students need to hear that they don't have to rebel. Parents need to hear that their role is that important. Thank you for sharing such an amazing testimony!"

Really?!?

I slowly began to realize that everyone has a testimony.

... even me!

So don't believe the myth that your story, your relationship with God, isn't worth sharing. It is! And somebody needs to hear it.

I look forward to sharing more of my story with you this Sunday!