We All Have a Story to Tell
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
"Neither this man or his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:2-3 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Every follower of Christ has a story to tell. This is who I was…this is who I am now. Traditionally, we call our stories a testimony. In a court of law, a testimony is an eye-witness account. A man or woman cannot sit on the witness stand and tell what someone else told them about an incident. They can only tell what they saw with their own eyes or heard with their own ears. Likewise, the most powerful story we can tell is what Christ has done for us, how He brought us from death to life!
One day Jesus was walking down the dusty road of
When the man washed the sacred mud from his eyes, for the first time in his life he saw the rays of the sun, the ripples on the water, and the lines on the palms of his hands. He received his sight.
It was not the dirt that held the miraculous powers. It never is. It was what Jesus did with the dirt that transformed it into a healing balm. And so it is in our own lives.
The people in the town were amazed. “Is this the same man we have seen begging by the road for so many years?” they asked.
“It’s me,” he replied with joy. “The very one.”
“How did your eyes get opened?” they asked.
“A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ I did what he said. When I washed, I saw.”[1]
The religious officials did not like the fact that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath. They were more concerned with the binding law than the blinded man, so they called the man in to question him.
”He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”
Still not satisfied, they called in the man’s parents and questioned them.
“We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind. But we don’t know how he came to see-haven’t a clue about who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask him? He’s a grown man and can speak for himself.”[2]
So they brought the man blind from birth back in for further questioning.
“Give credit to God,” they said. “We know this man is an imposter.”
He replied, “I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind…I now see.”[3]
Yes, the blind man now had a story to tell. God planned it all along. Before the miracle took place, Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”
”Neither this man or his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:2-3).
Sometimes life doesn’t turn out like we thought it would, and we cry “Why Lord? Why?” And God’s response is the same…so that the work of God might be displayed in your life.
Have you had an incident in your life that God wants to use for His glory? It could be your story that would be the ray of light that points someone to God. This is how I was…this is how I am now.
[1] Eugene Peterson, The Message, (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress: 1993) John chapter 20,pg. 207-208
[2] Ibid 208
[3] Ibid. 208
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I was like that blind man…I was blind but now I see. Sometimes I don’t even understand how or why you chose to save me, deliver me, and use me. It is hard to explain. I simply have to agree with the healed man…I was blind but now I see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Suppose someone took you before a court of law and asked you to explain the change in your life that occurred the moment you trusted Christ. What would you say?
Would they have enough evidence to “convict” you of being a Christian?
Is there a girlfriend in your life that radiates Jesus in her life? If so, consider writing a note about the “evidence” you see in her life that “convicts” her of knowing Christ.
More from the Girls
The love and grace of God stuns me. You see, I know me! And how God loves me unconditionally, forgives me continually and empowers my life journey is beyond my human understanding. I think we often lose the wonder of knowing God. It’s time to revisit the day we first met Christ and celebrate that experience in everything we do.
For more on today’s topic see Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding peace and purpose in the pain of your past by Sharon Jaynes.
G.I.G.
Girlfriends in God, Inc.
Matthews,
Web site: www.girlfriendsingod.com
Email: info@girlfriendsingod.com
Originally published Wednesday, 27 September 2006.
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