I recently attended a seminar that began with this assignment: Tell your story before the 3-minute timer buzzed. The purpose of the assignment was this: If you only had an elevator ride to interact with a stranger, could you condense your life story (a.k.a. testimony) and introduce someone to Christ? You’ve got to be kidding me – I’m 66 years old! How can I reduce all the Lord has done, brought me through, and kept me from to a 3-minute conversation? To be ready in the moment, if we only have a moment, is a challenge.
Scripture says that we need to be ready to give an account for the hope that lies within us. IT also encourages us that it is urgent to preach “in season”. It is more familiar to me to be instantly out of season! I hope to be better prepared to be instant in season and present in the moment. Challenge accepted and here goes!
My story is easy! Unlike many testimonies that include fantastic rescues, interventions of all sorts, restorations unimaginable and near-death experiences, mine is simple. I don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t love Jesus. Raised in a family that was in church, literally every time the door was open, I came to know the Lord early. For this fact I am, and will eternally, be grateful. I do remember making a public confession of my love for Jesus at a very early age, but honestly, I don’t think I experienced a life transformation consistent with conversion. You see, I was rarely ever in trouble. On the occasions when my parents were disappointed and I was disciplined, it usually was a result of childishness rather than disobedience. I don’t recall wisps of rebellion or self-will until high school.
There have been many markers of spiritual experiences and milestones of personal growth throughout my life. Baptized (the 1st time) at age 10, I remember feeling clean from the inside out. My heart was softened, and I began to grow closer to Jesus. While I could make myself behave and conform to the rules and regs, which were many, it didn’t come from my heart, but rather external constraints. I could conform, but I wasn’t transformed.
My story includes being “double dunked”. I was baptized again at 16 after a youth revival and fresh encounter with God. Much like the Randy Travis’ song Baptism, my life was forever changed. Old things were left at the bottom of the lake that day and the desire to be pleasing to Jesus became the driving force of my life. I experienced the miracle of transformation from the inside out, a true and deep conversion. I guess I’m a bit like an OREO cookie. One dunk softens the cookie, and the second dunk dissolves the cookie altogether, leaving only the cream.
It is said “Hindsight is 20/20”, so while I may not have noticed it at the time, it is easy to see by looking backwards that though I was not delivered FROM a bunch of stuff, I was KEPT out of all kinds of junk! The keeping power of the gospel and life transformation is supernatural and amazing!
There have been times when I wished I had a more interesting or spectacular testimony, but I realize my story IS powerful! It’s not so easy to stay out of trouble. It’s not even possible to keep yourself from falling. It’s not quick or easy to mend your heart once broken or repair emotions that shatter. It takes supernatural power to keep pressing on and never give up.
Some people tell of their adventures of a lifetime. My story is one of a lifetime of adventure serving and loving Jesus. I am “all in for the long haul” and loving it. I press on! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I’d love to introduce you to my Jesus that I love. If you would like to leave a comment below, I’ll be in touch.
1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Philippians 3:12-14, Hebrews 11:6 & 12:1
My Paisley Chair 
Leave a comment