“And they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved no
their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
I believe personal testimonies are powerful – as the above
verse says, they can be used to overcome Satan! I’ve been blessed hearing other
people’s testimonies. Some have encouraged and inspired me; others have given
me fresh understanding and insight. Many have illustrated God’s amazing
recreating power.
But I never felt I had a testimony to share. My life has
been pretty simple. I’ve always known about God, and committing my life to Him
has been more of a gradual process, rather than a road-to-Damascus experience. There’ve
been tougher times, but no more than what many others have been through. God’s
been there and He’s been good.
While traveling across Australia, a few of us shared our
testimonies. When it came to my turn I said a few words, second guessed myself,
and felt very small. Did I have a testimony? Should I have a testimony? Does the fact that I don’t mean I don’t
have a relationship with God?
But a few weeks later, we were travelling again, and sharing
testimonies once more. This time I had a testimony, and I was excited to share.
During those weeks, I had remembered something.
When I was younger – maybe pre-teen, I don’t exactly
remember – I had the dream of being a missionary. Africa seemed to be the place
missionaries went, so I decided I wanted to go to Africa as a missionary. But
when I prayed about it, God gave me the strongest impression that my work was here
in my own country. There’s nothing wrong with being a missionary in Africa, but
I believe God has different locations and types of work for everyone. And I
believe He called me to work in my country. But the question in my mind since
then has been, How? Sometimes it
seems much harder to reach neighbours than foreign tribes.
Ever since I heard about canvassing, I wanted to try it. Ever
since I tried it, I wanted to do more. But it wasn’t until halfway through the recent
canvassing program I attended I realized: this was it. This was reaching out to
people in my own country. This was something I could do. This was something I
had already seen help and minister to people. This was something God had in mind for me all those years ago when He
told me Australia was my field. Talk about feeling small! I was, and still
am, in awe of the way God has worked that out. That’s what I was excited to
share the second testimony-time we had travelling. And that’s why canvassing is
important to me.
I also want to add to my previous thoughts about my testimony:
I met a lady while canvassing, who had questions about God because some of her
family members were suffering with cancer, and at least one had already died
from it. She wasn’t interested in what I had, because it was obviously
religious. But then I said one line – one line I previously thought was
insignificant. I said I’d lost a close family member to cancer and struggled
with the same questions. Her attitude changed immediately. We were able to talk
about God and discuss how He could allow tragedy, if He was good. I also
mentioned a particular book – one I had with me – really helped me, and in the
end she said she would get that book because
if it had helped me maybe it would help her. I was blown away that God had
used my story to reach someone.
So, I want you to know that if God can use me, He can use
you. If you feel like your story is nothing dramatic, it can still touch
someone; someone will relate to it. Even if you feel like you have no
testimony, as I did, God is still working in your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
~
Have you ever felt your testimony was insignificant? What do
you think about the power of personal experience? How do you see God working in
your life?
Also, I realise I haven’t given many details about my recent
trip across Australia, the canvassing program, and what it was all about. In the
next post I’m planning to answer any questions you have about it. So please ask
me anything and everything you’d like to know in the comments, and I’ll do my
best to answer! (Thanks Ariel, for the inspiration to do this! I will definitely
answer the questions you already asked! :)
