Remember this post, about being real about my testimony?
Well, I did it. There’s something unnerving about having people sit and stare at you eagerly, awaiting your words. It’s a testimony–so there’s a high expectation. While the listeners don’t know your details, they do expect that your story will reveal something amazing about God’s character. Oh how I prayed I wouldn’t disappoint. I remembered that my testimony had nothing to do with me. This was the chance to tell what God has done. I know God was working even in that moment because I barely remember what I had said.
I grew up in a Christian home and in a church. I didn’t have any drastically rebellious moments where I’d totally turned away from God. Because of that, I’ve gotten to know God for Who He Is and not only for what He’s done in my life. Knowing God this way gives you a confidence in life. I’ve tried to make choices all throughout life that were honourable to God. It didn’t matter how big or small the issue seemed. It is okay to say no (or yes) to something if you aren’t too sure–even if you didn’t have a big explanation behind it. I shared the following story as an example.
When the movie Titanic first opened, the majority of the youth group wanted to meet together for dinner first, and then go to see the film. I grew up in a home and a culture where movie-going was never encouraged. There is no Bible verse behind it, no ‘thou shalt not attend the cinema’, no church rule either. It was just something that we never did and something that I’ve stuck with even into adulthood, though many of my Christian peers go regularly. After dinner that night, I politely declined seeing the movie, taking my younger siblings home. My friends were shocked. I just said that I wasn’t comfortable with going to the movies, never having gone before. I let that be enough, despite their attempts of peer pressure. It eventually got to the point that my friends stopped hanging out with me altogether.
It was because of how and why I chose to make decisions in my life that enabled me to stand up to my friends. Many of these same friends are not happy today. They’re lacking that inner, deep-rooted peace. My life, highly imperfect and somewhat mundane, is peaceful and happy. I prefer that to the alternative.
As I live, day by day, I want my life to always be a testament to God. It’s well worth the effort.