URC Daily Devotion 28th June 2019

Many of us, I’m sure, will find the concept of ‘testimony’ daunting. But that’s on the assumption that a testimony is simply standing up in front of lots of people saying how they came to know Jesus. Not an easy task. Particularly if, like me, you grew up in the Church anyway, and/or you struggle to pinpoint an exact time at which you first came to know Jesus. But this delivery is the most common association with the word. Testimony as a word is actually far simpler than this. Deriving from the Latin word ‘testis’ (yes, I chuckled too!), but meaning ‘witness’. Best to leave that there… But that’s really all it is, a witness!

The testimony of God is manifested through Jesus Christ. The life Jesus lived was a witness to God’s power, glory and love for the world. The ‘ultimate witness’ was seen at Eastertide. The biggest sacrifice that could have been made, was made by God, giving his only Son. This is the very testimony we must tell. We must be witness to the living God. It’s important that the life we live out, the life others see, is a testimony. Others need to see the Jesus in us, see us living a Christ-like life, imitating him closely.

We don’t need to be confident at public speaking to ‘do’ testimony. We are all testimonies through our everyday life. Some may find that daunting and pressurising, perhaps feeling watched, or judged? But rest assured, similar to my encounters in the gym, people will actually only pay attention to the bits that you do well! So make those good bits shine, make your Christ-like characteristics shine!