Whilst brunching with one of my favorite people this morning, an interesting discussion came up. We were talking about personal testimonies and lamenting that while some are genuinely quite moving, they often seem cookie cutter. Most read something like this: my life was messed up; something happened that was paradigm-shifting; now Jesus has made my life wonderful. This is all well and good, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of testimony, (my own testimony is quite similar,) but often times something seems lacking. If life is always peachy keen after you find Christ, why is everyone not running to Him? The fact is, just because you find Christ, life does not become a walk in the park. Life is messy and sometimes it sucks. But for some reason, that rarely makes it into someone’s personal testimony. How often do you hear someone get up and say, “Before Christ, my life was terrible. When I found Him life became better, but I still have periods in my life that are pretty difficult, and I don’t know why things happen.” This is just not something I have heard in a testimony before, but it is definitely something I have experienced.
Now, please don’t get me wrong. I am in love with my wonderful Savior, and all that He has done for me. He has changed my life for the better, and I am ecstatic to live in eternity with Him. But, at the same time, I see a disconnect from what we as Christ-followers show others, and what we experience. Christians are not perfect. We do not have it all together. Often times, we do not act as we should. But we are forgiven and saved, we know where our future lies, and we know others who desperately need what we have.
Christianity is worth sharing; because it is, don’t you think it is worth being open and transparent about? This is something my generation craves: an answer to life that is not sugar-coated. An answer that is real and stripped of pretenses. So, the next time you have the opportunity to give your testimony, think about what you say. Be the one who is open enough to share the truth. Not only about what God has done, but also about what he continues to do.
Blessings,
Lauren
