My Boring Testimony

One of our friends that is a pastor in New York at Brooklyn Tabernacle posted this the other day...

"My goal in parenting is to raise my kids to have a boring testimony..... In other words, to stay out of trouble and love Jesus all their lives. Exciting, I know. But actually, it really should be exciting. I know that in the church we usually privilege and promote Christian horror stories where God brings someone back from the edge of doom. They’re compelling. Heart-tugging. But they’re also heartbreaking. Trust me, the stories that bring an audience to tears brought far more tears to the parents who had to watch their kids live them. You don’t want that pain, for you or your kids. And while God can certainly turn our mistakes into miracles, I think He’d still prefer to turn our obedience into an opportunity. An opportunity to show that He’s not only worth coming back to, but also worth never leaving in the first place.

 It’s just that I’d prefer that my kids change the world without having to have the world first change them. A person’s testimony doesn’t have to be spectacularly sinful to be significant. I hope and pray my kids will have a boring testimony. I hope and pray the same thing for yours too. We don’t have full control over whether it will happen. They will ultimately make their own choices. But with all of our power as parents, let’s work and live to see our goal realized. Our kids will thank us. We’ll thank ourselves. And ultimately we’ll all thank God."-Reposted from Pastor Tim Dilena

 Can I tell you how much I love this?!  Because I have always considered my testimony to be boring!  As I was growing up, I always thought that a more interesting testimony would draw people to Christ.  I thought mine would never make a difference; but, in countless ways it has. 

So, here is my boring testimony....

I grew up in a Christian home.  I heard the stories of Jesus and His great love for me before I can even remember.  I know this; because, I know my parents.  They love Christ and they shared His love for me the day I was born. One of my earliest memories is of me swinging on my swing trying to go as high as the white puffy clouds in the blue sky above.  While pumping my little legs back and forth, my little voice sang out a made up song, "Jesus, I love you...I love you."

My mom told me that I asked Jesus in my heart at a VBS at the age of four.   I don't really have a memory of this; however, my parents were laying the ground work for me to have as many opportunities as possible to hear the gospel.   Jesus was such a central part of our home. 

I remember in the third grade in kid's church a man telling me that I had to choose to follow Christ.  I remember very clearly God speaking to my heart about His love for me.  He told me He died for me. He told me that He wanted me to live for Him.  I decided to be a follower of Christ that day. 

When I was a little older I stood in front of a congregation and told them how much I loved Jesus.  I then was baptized.  I remember coming out of the water and knowing that I was a new person.  I was His and He was mine.  

In the 8th grade, I did a little doubting.  I did a little searching; but nothing to much to write home about.  Enough to rededicate my life to Him never to waver again.  Jesus was everything to me.  I serve Jesus because I choose to....not because my parents ever made me....not because I am afraid of hell....not because it seems like a good thing to do...only because He loves me.

In Jr. high, I was miraculously healed.  In high school, I was called into full time ministry.  I was also miraculously saved in a car accident.  In college, I married a pastor.  Last year, I received my license as a minister of the Gospel.  That is my life, plain and simple.

Even though my testimony may seem boring....

I do know this that I was a sinner.  I was someone who was in desperate need of a Savior.  Even at a young age I realized this.  I was lost.  I was alone.  I was in need.  I was no better than the worst of sinners.  I was without God. When I realized those things, I gave my life to Him.  We do not deserve His love or forgiveness; but, yet He gives it freely when we come to Him.

Woven through that testimony of mine is GRACE!  God's grace to keep me, to carry me, and to hold me. I have never taken my boring testimony for granted.  I actually have always said, "It is by His grace that I have it".  My godly parents provided the opportunity and my heavenly father allowed me to experience it.  Now that I have children, I hope that they will also have a boring testimony like me.  

Every testimony is important!  Maybe, your testimony is boring or full of what people may think is not boring!  Which ever the case maybe, we are all saved by the same amount of Grace, the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on a cross for us.  Tell others your testimony.  Tell others about Grace.  Tell others about what Jesus has done in you and for you.  

What is your testimony?

and.....

GET JOY

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