40 Acts of Lent: Day 39 - testimony

Act thirty nine - Testimony by Bekah Legg
People keep their stories to themselves. But sharing stories can be a powerful way to connect with people, motivate them, and rouse them to action in their own lives. You're full of stories: many of them untold. Don't keep them – your stories, your 'testimonies' – to yourself.

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason 

for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."

                                                                                                                            (1 Peter 3:15)

I don't know about you, but the thought of sharing my faith with someone who doesn't already know God is pretty scary. I know it's important, I even pray for opportunities, but when the time comes, I've been known to be lost for words, or at least words that make much sense.
But the truth is, we don't need to have all the answers and we don't need to become master theologians. We just need to know our own story. There is nothing as compelling as your story, the twists and the turns, the moments when God changed everything. Your story is unique and no one can tell it quite like you.

My story is one of knowing God all my life, ignoring him for a while, and ending up in a disastrous marriage on the other side of the world before literally escaping to bring up two small children as a single mum. It's a story of being restored to the person I was intended to be and finding out what freedom in Christ really looks like.

To begin with it really wasn't something I wanted to talk about at all. But then I met a lady in the school playground who was going through a situation that I could understand. It was time to start talking.
Since then I've had my ears open for those moments when I may be able to contribute something useful, and I've learned that even some of the most mundane moments of my life will resonate with someone. Sharing our story with people can be frightening; opening ourselves up makes us vulnerable but it's the best way to connect, and if we will allow people to see how God has transformed our lives, perhaps we can help him transform theirs too.

Choose how to complete this act...

GREEN OPTION:
If you've never told your testimony, plan it out first. Try different lengths. For example: one that works like a trailer for the full movie. Or an extended version for that long conversation over a meal. Write them down, to focus your thoughts. But remember that listening is more important – your story is never more important than the person you're telling it to. And make sure you don't slip into Christianese.

YELLOW OPTION:
If you have a testimony in mind, pray for an opportunity to tell it.

RED OPTION:
Keeping your stories to yourself? Take a leap. Talk to your church leadership about ways you can share them with others. Get in touch with groups who could use someone with the experiences you have. Experienced and lived through injustice? Charities could find your story invaluable.