WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR YOU LATELY?

I have never enjoyed the thought of giving my "testimony".  Not that I am shy, have stage fight or afraid to share. It is just that I never had a "road to Damascus" experience where I knew the exact moment I was "saved".

When my pastor recently encouraged (urged) us to write our story it sounded much more appealing than sharing my testimony.  I have grown weary of men and women talking about things they did long ago and how that led to them accepting Christ.  I am thrilled that they have found salvation but my point is  I want to hear how God is working in your life now!  If your story is more than a few weeks old perhaps you need to reflect on what God is doing in your life today.

All that being said, there is not a date or a time that I can point to as when I accepted Christ.  As long as I can remember I have always known He was walking with me and my dependence on him.  Unfortunately, I have strayed from the path in my walk with Him on more than one occasion; all the time knowing that He never left me.

So I basically have a boring testimony, but the continued work that The Lord reveals to me is more exciting now than at any other time in my life.  I see how God continues to weave people in and out of my life to reveal His glory.  

During that Sunday's sermon I began to think, "Did I grow up in a Christian home?" I had to stop and really reflect on that.  I did not grow up in the Bible Belt.  I was raised where it is particularly difficult to tell the difference between those who are Christians, those who say they are Christians, those who think they are Christians and those who aren't.

Both of my parents swore, my mom smoked, my father didn't attend church with us as kids.  I saw examples of my mom coveting other's possessions.  I saw my dad be miserly with his money.  I saw him lose his temper over what seemed to be trivial things. Yeah, my parents were flawed; like all of us.   

My dad had a high school education and my mom never finished high school.  Their Biblical knowledge when I was growing up was limited and elementary.  Yet my mother made sure my sister and I were in Sunday School every week.  

It was there that some wonderful men and women poured themselves into me.  I owe much to those Sunday School teachers who helped me grow spiritually.  But had it not been for my mother's commitment for us to go to church I never would have been given that opportunity.  I should also say that she went with us. It wasn't as if she dropped us off at the curb and came back and got us in an hour.

So, when I was reflecting back I had to ask myself about what type of home I was brought up in. Sure, I can point to this fault or that, but when I look for signs of fruit I also see those.

I knew without a doubt my parents loved me.  They were never shy about telling us that.  My dad is still the most honest man I have ever known.  He had a work ethic second to none.   The man I thought was stingy and miserly was actually quite generous.  In later years when my sister and I had access to his banking accounts we discovered that he had a hard time telling anyone no. Anyone that is that was not our mom or the two of us.  He could tell us no with no problem.

We found canceled checks to any charitable organization that sent him a solicitation.   Though the sums may have seemed small to some, they were sent with a giving heart.  

I saw fruit from my mom in the generosity of her heart.  She would give you the shirt off her back if you ask her for it.  She  was the eternal optimist; with her glass always half full.  She could be quick to get angry or to get her feelings hurt, but she was just as quick to forgive.  Even though she was not a Bible scholar she knew that her salvation was in Christ. 

What a tough women she was!   She never really complained about the pain she felt or how sick she may have been.  She might mention it, but it was never her topic of conversation.  Her work ethic was just as strong as my dad's.

When my dad retired from his "day" job he began to attend church with us.  He and mom got more involved in church service.  I am convinced that both grew in their relationship in the Lord during their later years.  I trust that both of my parents are experiencing the glory of God's grace in everlasting salvation.

So, how does all this relate to "my story" in the present? For one thing, I realize the need to look differently than those who are not Christians.  More than ever I want others to see Christ in me! I also understand that being a believer is not the same as being a Christ follower. The Bible tells us that even Satan and his demons believe. Following is more than intellectual knowledge or belief. It is making Christ the Lord of  your life. I realize that many times I have done the right thing for the wrong reasons.  There have been times when I wanted to be regarded highly by man rather than wanting God to get the glory.  

The cool thing is that my "boring" story is still being written.  It started years ago by God's grace and it continues today because of His mercy.   There have been some regrettable events in my life.  I have made bad choices.  I have bargained with God and tried to twist his arm.  I have wanted my will at time more than I have desired His.  I have put other gods before Him.  Yet, through it all He has never left me and through the life, death and resurrection of Christ I am reconciled to Him forever!

As I strive to know Him more, the more He reveals Himself to me.  Now that I think of it, every day I seek His face is a "Road to Damascus" experience and I can't wait until tomorrow!

 In the meantime, what has He done in your life lately? 

Thanks for reading!

Jeff