How can I be silent?
If you were to turn on the news these days, you would find a common theme on every station, HURT. We live in a time of trouble and heartbreak. There are headlines of destruction and ones of loss. Many people are hurting and are living without hope. The situation could look very bleak if we were to focus on all the chaos going on.
I am reminded of how important it is in these troubled times to share the only thing that can provide hope to this hurting world, JESUS! If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you have the hope of Christ living inside of you. Our responsibility as believers is to share that with others. We, as bearers of the light of Christ, are to show the way to others. In the book of Matthew, Jesus addresses His disciples on this subject. He says,
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
We are to let our lights shine in this dark world!! Jesus reminds us in John 16:33:
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
When Jesus spoke these words, He knew that we would face trouble in this life, but we are to “take heart” or to have courage. This world is desperate to hear this message! I know some of you are thinking,
“How do I even begin to do that?”
Well, we can start by sharing our testimony with others. It is as simple as proclaiming the wonderful news about how Jesus changed your life. I believe God has given each of us a unique story to tell; your story may just be what someone needs to hear to change their life. Praying for God to give you the words to speak and the opportunity to share will open the doors that only He can open. He will direct your conversation when we ask for Him to use us for His glory.
Share your story!
I know when I share my testimony with others, I tell of how Jesus changed me! I was a prisoner to my sin and bound in chains too heavy for me to bear. My heart had been destroyed by sin, and I was overwhelmed by my shame and the mess I had made of my life. I could not clean myself up no matter how hard I tried. I knew about God, but I had no real relationship with Him. I realized my need for restoration and that it could only be done when I truly repented and trusted that Jesus was everything I had needed. I could not earn His love or His grace; it was a gift that He offered me freely, a gift that He paid with His life. I could choose to accept that gift, or I could continue living in my sin and shame.
I made a choice to surrender and accept what He had to offer. When I accepted that gift, He radically transformed my life. I was no longer the same, and now I cannot be silent for all He has done for me! He did it for me, and I know without a doubt that He can do it for others. His love is abundant, and His grace is enough. I know what He offers is just what this world needs. It is the hope that is only found in Christ alone!
We, as believers, are told to share that hope with others. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says,
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
We need to proclaim the good news of Jesus to extend this hope to a desperate world.
If you are reading this and realize that you cannot share your testimony because you have never truly trusted Jesus as your savior, today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), for we are not promised tomorrow! If you are looking for hope that will never leave you, you can find that hope in Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
If you do have a testimony, my prayer is that we, as followers of Christ, would speak up on His behalf and share His love to this lost and dying world before it is too late. May we not be silent!!!
Amanda Patterson
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#amandapattersonblogs
