I have such a hard time knowing how to share my testimony. Mainly because I don’t ever want to glorify or excuse any of the wayward moments of my life … I don’t want to make an object lesson of my sin or my rebellion … I don’t want any part of what is seen in me to be about me.
Because I’ve lived that way … selfish, self-centered, needing attention, desperate for approval … from you, from everyone, from anyone. Well, anyone but Him.
It’s not that I didn’t know … I was raised in a Christian home, in church, by a family that had for generations served the Lord and continues to do so.
It’s not even really that I didn’t care … I did. I desperately cared and longed to live a life that honored God.
It’s not that I didn’t know how … I had been taught and I had many people in my life who modeled steadfast faith in the Lord.
It’s simply that I made a choice … one choice to take the fruit. It seemed so small at the time – it always does. And that choice led to more choices and more choices. And many consequences and tears and sorrow.
There are some dramatic moments in my story … I’ve made some really bad decisions.
But that’s not my testimony. Because the testimony I have is this: Only God.
Only God can take a scared, insecure girl and give her the gift of communicating His truth.
Only God can bring true beauty from the ashes of moral impurity.
Only God can give new life to one who was willing to take her own life.
Only God …
So that’s my testimony, my declaration of faith. It’s all I have …
Only God.
It’s all any of us have.
Only God.
As John Newton said, “And though my memory is fading, the truth seems very clear: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.”
Maybe your story makes you feel unworthy, unloved, useless …
I can relate. But I choose to stand on this sweet truth:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
I’d love it if you would take a moment to share your “Only God” story with us today.
{Perhaps what I have shared resonates with you. I have written a small ebook about a portion of my journey when the battle between flesh and spirit was very real. I’d love to share it with you … My Life, God’s Grace.}
Beautiful story of beautiful grace! Thank you for sharing your God story with us.
“Beautiful grace” indeed.
So true Teri Lynne- Only God! I’m so thankful God worked our lives to prove that He is the only one who can!
Thank you, Sandra … for your friendship and encouragement. And for the faithful life you live and the way you challenge me to do the same.
Thank you TL for your transparency and your glorifying of God.
The “Only God” theme, reminds me of the verses in Ephesians 2. Verses 1-3 talk about our sins and then verse 4 begins, “But God.” That is the turning point. He truly is rich in mercy and has great love for us.
xoxo
Myra, thank you … I love those verses in Ephesians. And “But God …” is my favorite phrase!
Just what I needed to be reminded of today! I often think of the bad choices I have made and the ugly person I have been and dwell on the me issues in that rather than focusing on what God has done with me! Today I am grateful that I recognized my need for a Savior and that only He has the power to transform me and He loves me so much that is exactly what He does!
Only God!
Holly, I am so thankful to read your kind comment … it is easy to dwell on what might have/could have … But God … Only God! Praise to Him alone.
Oh, Teri. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. I had reason last week to reflect on some events of the past and then to be so thankful for where we are today. I love you!
Yes, Molli, He is …. and since you were there for all the wandering years, you know how much it is truly “Only God” in my life.
I think that coming to a place where we “know we’re ugly” is the first step to knowing God and experiencing His peace. It’s an awful realization, but it’s the doorstep to joy. I so appreciate the way you shared your story, Teri Lynne.
Thank you, Julie. I’ve spent several years pondering how to share my story without making it about me … especially in such public forums. It’s so easy to be distracted by “Oh I did that too” or “I can’t believe she did THAT” … and miss the whole point – it’s Him. All Him. I’ve been blessed to share more details at times to encourage others … but by and large, I have found that the best testimony is not the details of what I have done but what He has done. I deeply appreciate your ongoing encouragement in my life.
Teri Lynne ~ What a beautiful reminder that ONLY GOD can make beauty out of ashes – and the amazing reality is that He delights in doing so!
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your life for the purpose of glorigying God!
Stephanie, you are such a blessing! Thank you for always being an encourager in my life!!
I can relate to the discomfort that can come with sharing testimonies. As someone who shares hers, publically and on a {far to regular for my comfort zone} consistent basis, I have begged God to let there be a way for Him to receive glory without my story. He has other plans and the verse Revelation 12:11 brings me the strength to share His story over and over again. Thank you for sharing yours, TL! You are such an inspiration to me!
As you are to me, Melissa. I cannot wait to meet you in person and give you a hug!
Thank you for sharing your story. What a beautiful picture of God’s amazing grace. There is no other redeemer – Only God!
“There is no other redeemer – Only God!” Yes and amen.