Recently, I was reminded that some don’t speak “Chritianeze.” The Christian woman had a totally blank look on her face when I asked for her testimony! I’m afraid at times I too have had that look when someone asked me, “What’s your story?” …and I knew God was giving me a shot at speaking about Jesus. So, it’s been helpful to think about some things that I can hide away in my heart and be ready to share in one form or another, relating those thoughts to what’s happening now.

A testimony is really just a slightly old-fashioned way of describing a story you tell about how you came to faith in Christ, or what difference he is making in your life now.

Some tell of coming to faith in loving Christian homes. Others tell of being lost in the non-believing world. But all good testimonies we share rest on the personal reality of being awakened by the Spirit of the Lord, coming to love God and His word, and having an inner assurance of being reconciled to God through Christ Jesus forever!

The opportunities abound for sharing a testimony. In my earlier days it was “Christ for Me” youth rallies, evangelistic crusades, revival meetings, college dorm rooms or campus quads, and campfires. Now, it’s commonly chats with neighbors, visiting in nursing care facilities, or the fellowship hour after our Sunday morning worship gathering. Every day seems to give some opportunity to share a testimony including the emails, Facebook, Istagram, and WhatsApp messaging we swap.

So what is YOUR story?

A testimony can be how you came to faith, or it can be about how God is working right now in your life to strengthen your walk of faith with Jesus. It’s good if we know what to say about Jesus in our life when the opportunity presents itself.

Helpful Hints for a “Jesus and Me” story

Here are some helpful prompts for thinking through what your story might include:

• What led me to faith in Jesus Christ? Was there a “moment of decision”? (Clue: Identify transformative moments when faith in Christ became something personal and life-altering)
• What is true of God that I am in awe of? (Clue:  what helps you to worship) 
• What describes (or gives evidence to) Jesus’ life within me, changing me?  (Clue: how your prayers have changed) 
• How is my view of how I see others changing because the Lord is in my life? (Clue: changes in what’s important to you in relationships; help:  Galatians 5:22-23) 
• What words of God do I trust in that give me inner peace and joy about the day upon me (or for us), and those that lie ahead of me (or for us)?  (Clue: reason for being hopeful) 

Dave, what’s your story of coming to faith?

Raised in a Mennonite pastor’s home, I had always heard about Jesus and His claim on my life as Savior and Lord. When I was five, I knelt beside my sister’s bed and invited Jesus to come into my heart after a Sunday morning service. It was such a joyful experience, I laughed but I also remember my dad, kneeling beside me, instructing me by saying, “This is serious, David.” 

When I was 16, at a Youth conference, I was confronted by Christ and his call to be willing to die for His sake. Since it was during the Vietnam War, the speaker asked who would be willing to die for their country. Then, he posed the question that changed my life: Would you also be willing to die for your Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ? Along with a several others, I stood up to declare my heartfelt devotion to follow Him, wherever it would take me. 

These Bible verses have given me assurance that Jesus has forgiven my sins and come into my heart by the Holy Spirit…  

Over the many years since, two scriptures passages in particular have continually upheld my faith in Christ. The first is Galatians 2:20 and the second Matthew 11:28-30. 

• Galatians 2:19-20 (ESV) – “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 

• Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

These are the things I have been learning recently about God, and about myself — because of my relationship with Jesus Christ… 

My greatest faith lessons have been times of testing when I’ve learned to see God more clearly. Early on it was His faithfulness to be God in every situation that challenged me. Then it was His goodness – without any hint of evil or hidden darkness. And finally, it’s been His overwhelming, everlasting unconditional love for me that has changed everything for me. 

Because I’ve begun to follow Jesus, my life has been changed in these ways… 

• My core values are becoming more and more biblical. 
• Suffering has meaning, because in it God reveals Himself and also shows me where He wants to transform my heart. 
• My daily purpose now is found in obedience from love for God with all my heart, soul and mind. 
• Relationships have become deeply meaningful and satisfying because of the love and forgiveness God has sown in my heart, and the mercy and grace that is continually offered to me. 

May God give us the words and the courage to tell others what great things the Lord has done for us.