Precious Testimonies

(page 145) 

Teaching Bible stories to kindergartners is both challenging and rewarding. My husband’s description of working with little ones is, “like lining up grasshoppers,” and I think it fits perfectly for that age group.

As a Vacation Bible School volunteer, I had signed up to teach this lively class. Having memorized the stories in order to retell them effectively, I sat on the floor amid the young grasshoppers. As I spoke, one little girl began to wriggle her way toward the front, settling directly in front of me. She was listening intently to the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Her eyes were locked and intense as she began to lean forward with curiosity.

Recognizing that I was wooing her with my enlivened message, I looked directly at her as I spoke, and she nudged in even closer. With wide eyes, she gingerly raised her hand. I paused to allow her innocent query.

“Do you have on lipstick?” she questioned in a loud whisper.

My bubble burst as I realized I had “captured” her, not by my energetic reiteration of the story of Joseph’s coat, but rather the shiny pink coat on my lips.

Sharing God’s Word with others is both challenging and rewarding. If you’ve ever sat across from junior high or high school students and watched as their eyes glaze over, you know what I’m talking about.

But the key is just do it! Share the good news of Jesus Christ! It doesn’t matter if you haven’t memorized all the scripture you promised you would. If you know Jesus Christ, He is all you need!

When Jesus called Saul (who we know as Paul), he had not spent years in seminary. In fact, he had been actively persecuting Christians. What could Jesus possibly see in him, and what did he have that he could possibly share with others?

When Paul arrived in Damascus following his conversion, and after Ananias restored his sight, “he immediately began to proclaim Jesus saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20). All Paul had was a genuine encounter with Christ. He had a life-changing experience, recognizing the depth of his sin and the wretchedness of his soul, compelling him even more to share his experience of God’s mercy and grace.

Later, when speaking to the Corinthians, Paul said,

"When I came to you, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified … My message was not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."  1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Though the bells and whistles (and pink lipstick) may draw the crowd in, the Spirit of God alone draws the heart. Bells and whistles are only added attractions, but they are not life changing; nor will they provide you with a testimony. They are simply tools used to present the message of Christ.

You may not have had a Road to Damascus experience as Paul did. Some testimonies are certainly more colorful than others are, but that doesn’t make your story any less valuable or effective. If you have had a personal encounter with Christ, then you have a testimony.

It is what God has delivered us from, brought us to, and led us through that become our message. It makes your story and mine real and effective to the glory and praise of God.

God of wonders, how grateful we are for the anointed ones You send to minister the message of Christ. We thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit, who draws us in at our appointed time and who will give us utterance as we faithfully give testimony to the power of God at work in our lives. All praise and glory to God our Savior!