I’ve always been pretty open to share with others, willing to be vulnerable, share my foibles and what’s on my heart. When Kevin and I first met in college there was an immediate attraction. Because he was playing his trombone in a quartet at the upcoming Valentine’s banquet he had free tickets to go. Just after meeting me, he decided to “go out on a limb” and invite me to go with him to the banquet.
When he nervously called my dorm room to ask me out, I replied, “Well, I scheduled myself to work that night because I thought a guy was going to ask me out that I didn’t want to go out with, and I wanted an excuse to say “no”. But I’d like to go with you, so I’ll try to get off work.” Talk about being an open book! He was blown away by my transparency!
Some of you might not be willing to be so vulnerable or may feel shy to share your thoughts, much less how God is working in your life. Or you may think that your story is pretty ordinary; it might seem insignificant to share with all the “bigger” testimonies circulating out there. But your story, and how God has worked in your life, is uniquely yours and it’s important to share, whether it’s through talking one-on-one with a friend, writing a blog post, sharing a post on Facebook or speaking before a crowd.
Psalm 78:4 (NIV) encourages us to share. “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”
I have been amazed at how the Lord has opened a much wider scope of influence to me since ALS. There are so many people I’ve been able to meet and share with that I doubt would’ve taken the time to listen without knowing my situation. ALS has helped to give me a louder voice and a bigger microphone. I’m thankful that God is still using me. It’s what keeps me going!
Don’t hesitate to share YOUR story! Tracie Miles, from Proverbs 31 Ministries, says it well: “Your story, filled with both joy and deep hardship, has been shaped by the hand of God. Even the painful or messy parts can become the very testimony that someone else needs to believe God is real and still at work. When we keep our stories tucked away, the testimony of His faithfulness remains hidden. But when we share, we pass on courage, faith and hope.”
You may be uncomfortable or think others will judge you if you share. But that’s where faith comes in. It’s not about promoting ourselves, but about being willing to let our broken places be a beacon to help others along their path.
God can make our ordinary stories extraordinary, because He is an extraordinary God! So I encourage you to say a prayer, take a deep breath and share with others as you have opportunity about the things, big and small, that God is doing in your life. It will bless both you and those who hear.
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