Shine: Week 2 - Day 5
OPENING PRAYER:
Prepare my heart to hear your word today. Give me a willingness to follow your direction for my life.
“The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped way into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.”
REFLECT:
I decided to get baptized when I was in middle school. I had been a faithful church attender my whole life and I finally felt ready to make a public display of my faith when I was in 7th grade. At the church I grew up in there was a class you had to take before you could get baptized. Part of the class consisted of sharing your testimony. The class didn’t just require that you share your testimony with the other class attenders, but they required you to share your testimony in front of an entire room full of every class attendant’s friends and family. I’ve never been a fan of public speaking or of being the center of attention so preparing to talk about my spiritual journey in front of 40 people, at 12 years old, was the most overwhelming thing I had ever done. As nerve-racking as this experience was, it helped me think through the story of how God had worked in my life and it helped me get comfortable sharing that story. I was able to articulate the ways in which my faith had shaped me and what I believed about God.
This is essentially what the invalid did after Jesus had healed him. After Jesus heals the man, he picks up his mat and walks away. He then meets some Jews. These people ask him to explain this miraculous change in his life. At first, the man doesn’t know who had healed him but after encountering Jesus again he is then able to tell those around him that Jesus made him well. The invalid man gives his testimony to the Jews that he meets.
Isn’t this an amazing picture for our lives? We encounter Jesus and this encounter changes us in a way that is mystifying to the world. This gives us the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those that see a change in our lives, just as the invalid man did in John. Having the light and love of Jesus flow out of our lives makes us seem different to the world. Those around can see that we have a hope and a peace that doesn’t seem reasonable. When asked about the change in us, we have a perfect chance to share our testimony and the life-changing message of Jesus.
APPLY:
Take some time to write out your testimony. Consider what your life looked like before you met Jesus, your first encounter with Christ, and how your faith in the Lord has shaped your life. Practice saying your testimony out loud. When you feel ready, try sharing your testimony with someone you trust. Thinking through your testimony now will make it less overwhelming when you share your story of faith with someone who hasn’t yet come to faith in Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Give me courage to share my testimony with those around me. Present opportunities where I can tell others about your love.
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