Most of the stories I tell point to God’s involvement… either an answer to prayer, or His divine intervention to rescue, or what I consider to be a supernatural display of His love and care for His children on earth. It is important to read of God’s power and character in the Bible. But when we experience His blessing firsthand, we realize He cares just as much for us as for the famous saints of old.
God uses our testimonies to reveal not only what He is capable of doing, but what He likes to do. I often tell the story of a frustrated young Taylor after he had fished all morning without a catch. I reminded him of Jesus telling Peter to cast out into the deep after Peter had experienced a fishless night. Taylor yelled: “If Jesus said it, then it has to be true!” Immediately after those words of faith, the eight-year-old cast into the middle of the pond and caught two huge catfish on his last half-worm. Middle school students hear such a story and think: “Hmm… if Jesus listened to a little boy fishing, perhaps He’ll listen to me.”
Testimonies also help listeners realize that God has been involved in their lives in ways they may not have considered. A story I’ve told from years ago involved Susan and I attending a Sunday school class at her parents’ church where we knew many people. The topic was centered on how God speaks to people. As the message unfolded, I had an incredible feeling of déjà vu. I leaned to Susan and whispered, “I dreamed this very thing last night.”
I don’t think I had ever dreamed such an exact event before and I don’t think it has happened since. So what was I to do? I wrestled a bit with the question and concluded that since it seemed to connect with the topic, God probably did not intend for me to keep the story to myself… so I tentatively raised my hand. “I think God speaks to us in a multitude of ways. This discussion is an exact reenactment of a dream I had last night.” A friend echoed, “Yeah… I heard Dana whisper this to Susan a little while ago.”
I felt for the teacher… what do you do with such a comment from a visitor? Thankfully the bell rang before things got too awkward and class was dismissed. What stands out in my mind was the number of people who then came to me and shared similar dream stories. It was almost as if my comment triggered other testimonies. If I had been a listener who had never had such an experience, I might have thought: “Wow… this means that our God, who gave young Joseph dreams that were not fulfilled until many years later, still gives people dreams today…”
Testimonies from other believers have caused me to think differently, pray differently, and have more faith. Perhaps our capacity to trust in God increases as we hear of His wonderful ways. And perhaps a Father smiles broadly as His children give Him glory for everything good.
“No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.’” Acts 2:16-17
“They overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Revelation 12:11