Deeper Reflection
IT IS USEFUL FOR EVERY DISCIPLE OF CHRIST TO WRITE down a one- to two-page personal testimony that details what our lives were like before Christ, how we came to know Christ and what changed as a result of knowing Christ. There are two reasons for this.First, this personal testimony helps us remember. In the hustle and bustle of life, we often get bogged down by so many burdens that we forget the central story of our lives: how we were saved by the Lord and are continually being sanctified. Returning to God’s story in our lives helps us to renew our perspective, especially when we go through trying and painful seasons.Second, this personal testimony may help someone else to encounter Christ. Your personal experience with Christ is irrefutable – it is your story. No one can say it didn’t happen or isn’t true. Your story may give hope to a pre-believing and help that person understand more concretely the difference that Christ makes. The Samaritan woman, having encountered the Lord, went back to her town and told the townspeople – “come, see a man who told me all I ever did.” (v.29). She couldn’t keep her life-changing experience of Jesus to herself. And her story went viral! The townspeople left the town and came to Jesus (v.30) and believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony (v.39). Furthermore, her testimony led many of them to hear the word of the Lord for themselves and therefore believe (vv.41-42). Do not underestimate how God can work through your testimony!