testimony

Do testimonies give people unrealistic expectations about life with God?


The traditional evangelical formula for sharing 'your story' of 'what God's done in your life' consists of :

A) Talking about what life was like B.C., dwelling especially on the nasty bits and heartache
B) Talking about how God got your attention and what made you finally crack and believe
C) Talking about how all the nasty bits and heartache have been transformed by God, preferably with a demurring 'I'm not perfect but God's grace is sufficient' thrown in.

It's not a bad thing, this formula. The stories, ALL of them, are amazing testimonies to what God has done. We should learn to share them and share them widely. It's just that testimonies always seem to end with a big red bow: God changed my life and he can change yours. As if it's all past tense.

I'm just thinking that sometimes life A.D. is still pretty messy. Accepting the gift of salvation was not the same as accepting a life of personal perfection, only a personal, perfect God. If my testimony is all past tense, something is seriously wrong. And making it seem that way seems like false advertising.

Maybe we need to start sharing testimonies of how God keeps saving us. Of how yesterday, or this morning, or five minutes ago I sinned but now I've repented and God's forgiven me and is helping me not go there again.

Maybe the frenetic humility and exaltation of the gospel belongs in every nook and cranny and minute of life.

Maybe the fact that just considering that freaks me out is something I can talk to God about, and have redeemed, and then tell a story about tomorrow.

Two things I know: Jesus saved me. And I still need Jesus to save me. This is one girl whose 'testimony' is not over yet.