As I sat on the edge of the chair in her room, I remember the tone of her voice shifting as she began to speak. She told me about a secret abortion that she had at a young age that still lived with her til that very day. She mentioned how there was not a day that went by that she did not think about the decision she made to take the life of her first child. She was scared and did not feel as though she could tell anyone in her family that she was pregnant, so she had a private procedure done. It was one of the most terrifying and uncomfortable experiences she mentioned ever having by herself and she understood that it was only by the grace of God that she survived that kind of procedure. I sat in shock for a moment in the chair as I thought about how I'd known her for decades yet, never heard her story.
If you read my blog from last month then you know that my intentions were to do a mini blog series entitled The Beauty In Filtering, however; as I spent quality time with God there was a specific message that He placed on my heart that I believe is imperative to deliver to readers now. How many of you have you ever felt shameful about sharing a situation you have gone through in your life or that you are currently going through? Have you ever tried to hide or avoid exposing the distasteful details about an experience that you’ve had? If your answer was yes to either one of those questions, then I believe you are exactly where God wants you to be, reading this message. This month, God wants to inform you of the importance in your story.
For those of you who may be wondering what your story is, your story is your testimony. It's an open acknowledgement or some sort of public profession about your spiritual experiences that you've encountered throughout your journey in life. It is one of the most powerful devices that I believe we have all been blessed with throughout our lives.
In the book of John, it talks about a woman who shares her story and the powerful impact that it has on her community.
For those of you who may be wondering what your story is, your story is your testimony. It's an open acknowledgement or some sort of public profession about your spiritual experiences that you've encountered throughout your journey in life. It is one of the most powerful devices that I believe we have all been blessed with throughout our lives.
In the book of John, it talks about a woman who shares her story and the powerful impact that it has on her community.
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him (John 4:28-30 NIV).
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world” (John 39-42 NIV).
Your story has the power to save souls. Your story has the power to ignite someones relationship with God. Your story is what will birth belief in barren situations. Your story is what will set the atmosphere for God to perform a miracle. Your story is what will break chains. Your story is what will revive. Your story is the power God gives you to influence a specific body of people. Your story is too important to not be told. This month, I believe that God is calling you to put down your water jar (whatever could potentially be in the way or hold you back) like the woman, so you can go out and share your story.
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world” (John 39-42 NIV).
Your story has the power to save souls. Your story has the power to ignite someones relationship with God. Your story is what will birth belief in barren situations. Your story is what will set the atmosphere for God to perform a miracle. Your story is what will break chains. Your story is what will revive. Your story is the power God gives you to influence a specific body of people. Your story is too important to not be told. This month, I believe that God is calling you to put down your water jar (whatever could potentially be in the way or hold you back) like the woman, so you can go out and share your story.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We honor you for being Lord over our lives. Thank you for your goodness, your faithfulness, your unmerited grace and your loving kindness. Thank you for purpose, value and uniqueness through our stories. We pray that you bless us with courage, wisdom, and strength to go out and tell our stories throughout this month. Use us as yielded vessels to be a blessing to others as we share our testimonies. Let your light be projected through us so that you may always get the glory. Have your way through every experience that we encounter in life. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Heavenly Father,
We honor you for being Lord over our lives. Thank you for your goodness, your faithfulness, your unmerited grace and your loving kindness. Thank you for purpose, value and uniqueness through our stories. We pray that you bless us with courage, wisdom, and strength to go out and tell our stories throughout this month. Use us as yielded vessels to be a blessing to others as we share our testimonies. Let your light be projected through us so that you may always get the glory. Have your way through every experience that we encounter in life. In Jesus name we pray, amen.