In our Christian circles, we like to call our stories, “testimonies”. I can remember many Sunday nights, when I was growing up, being billed as, “Testimony Sunday”. I grew up in what was then a traditional Assemblies of God church and that was one of our traditions. It’s hard for me to remember just how often we did them but I do remember them. What I remember is, the Pastor, after a short time of singing songs, would get up and ask anyone if they had a testimony that they would like to share in front of the church. Of course, you really didn’t have to come up front, you could just stay in your seat just as long as you would “talk loudly so everyone can hear you”. The elderly ladies never liked being told to talk loudly.

After a few moments of awkward silence and a room full of eyes trolling to the left and right, there would be a raised hand. An elderly lady would stand, albeit with some help, and just praise God for all that He has done. Another gentleman would stand and thank God for the job that God had given him. A husband and wife would stand together, holding hands, and thank God for saving their marriage. A young boy would stand up beside this couple, look up at them, and thank God for the same thing. An elderly man, a proud veteran, would stand up and thank God that the cancer in his body was gone, even though the doctors said it was still there. Time after time after time, you would begin to see people standing all over the room praising God for what He had done, or asking God for forgiveness for the lifestyle that they were living. It was moving, it was powerful, and it was and is what church is all about; helping, loving, and supporting each other.

You and I have a story to share, don’t we? Hasn’t God been very good to us? Hasn’t He forgiven ALL of our sins? Sitting beside you at church, at work, at school, or even at home, are those who need to know your story. There is a couple who are going through a rough time in their marriage, there is another couple who recently divorced, a gentleman is struggling with the guilt and shame of adultery, a lady is fighting the urge to find the next fix, a family is struggling to put food on the table, someone is struggling with eating and with self-esteem, someone else has just lost a loved one, yet, another, is considering changing their relational preferences and lifestyle, and the stories go on and on.

The world needs to know that there is hope for the hopeless!

The music has stopped. The room is filled with silence. People are waiting.

So, what’s your story?