April 18, 2008
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:6-8 NIV
Do you ever feel like you don’t have much to offer? I don’t know if JTB (John the Baptist) felt this way, but just the other night I met someone who does. Her statement reminded me of this scripture.
She said, “Suz, I’m not sure I’m even supposed to be here. I’ve messed up so bad. What do I have to offer?”
Just the fact that she knew where to turn when she lost her way, so that she could get back to faith and intimacy with God was powerful. Maybe her story will help someone else avoid that U-turn or keep them from falling into the craters she had to climb out of to find herself again.
You see, we’re not God. We aren’t the light. But somehow, some way He uses ordinary people to share their stories to lead others to Him. Along time ago I was a teen growing up in a messed up home, and that was my story. God found me there and I was angry and not open to faith, but when I cracked open the door just a little He came flooding into my life and changed me.
My story has changed a lot since then. My parents became believers. I grew up. I faced cancer at a young age. My son was hurt bad by a drunk driver. I started writing. Books were published. Life changed a thousand different ways because life is fluid, and it never stays the same. God was there with me every step of the way.
Each of those chapters went into what I call my life basket. If you’re a guy, maybe it went into your life toolbox. : )
Those stories became my testimony. Your stories become your witness, one way to communicate to others who God is, and what it means to know Him.
JTB was an ordinary guy. He wasn’t the light. But he was a communicator, sharing what and who Jesus was to Him, so that others could get a glimpse of the light.
Look in your life basket; what’s there? Tell someone about it.
Debbie says:
This is such a neat post!