We’ve all heard breathtaking stories about people coming to Jesus. Maybe they turned their back on a life of crime, beat an addiction, or chose to follow the Lord despite guaranteed persecution. These powerful and inspiring stories remind us of God’s transforming grace.
But when it comes to their personal testimony, many Christians feel like they lack the dramatic element they’ve heard in other people’s stories. Statistically speaking, most American Christians were raised in the church by Christian parents-many can’t even point to a specific moment where they chose to follow the Lord.
This can make Christians feel like their story isn’t very compelling, and might even be a liability. After all, they didn’t overcome any tremendous obstacles or come to Jesus through a particular crisis.
So what should you keep in mind when you don’t have a suspenseful or climactic testimony?
Growing up with a Christian family is God’s desire
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
God’s unique ability to capture hearts and change the trajectory of people’s lives is genuinely remarkable. But it has always been God’s desire that parents would raise children in homes that honor Him, and that they’d grow to honor Him, too.
Throughout the Old Testament, people like Rahab and Ruth converted to Judaism, but God’s desire was always to see children raised and taught to love God by faithful parents. The same is true of people who followed Jesus.
In a world where the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8), coming from a legacy of faithfulness isn’t a handicap; it’s a strength. And sometimes, it’s easy to forget that there are so many ways for Christians to derail or implode. Remaining steadfast is a testimony.
God is still at work in your life
You might not have a dramatic tale about what you overcame to find Jesus, but God is still at work in your life. Your testimony is still about how God is changing you. It’s about the values that influence the decisions you make. The temptations you face. The work you’re doing in light of God’s kingdom. All of these elements (and more) make up your testimony.
It’s helpful to reflect on your history and how your relationship with Jesus has changed you over time-and the ways it is still having an impact. This is also your testimony and has the power to influence the people around you.
God can still use your story
Dramatic testimonies are compelling and exciting. But your story doesn’t have to be sensational for God to use it. The Spirit can draw people through the power of any authentic testimony! If you’re interested in learning more, check out the post What Is a Christian Testimony?
