Let Your Light Shine

                           "Now is come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, 

        and the power of His Christ, for the accuser of our brethren is cast out, which accused

       them before our God day and night, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, 

                                      and by the word of their testimony."

                                                          -Revelation 12:11

  Every child of God has a testimony. The story of how we were saved by the blood of Jesus is precious! It can bring others to the feet of Jesus, and it can overcome the devil, as the book of Revelation shows. However, you and I have another type of testimony that is also powerful: "The Testimony of What God is Doing in You Today."

  As we walk with the Lord, we experience Him in the world around us. We see His protection, provision, and love. He comforts us on our sad days, gives us rest in our weary days, and brings hope to times of hopelessness. 

  The COVID-19 lockdowns were a hard time for me. After all, we were created to need human companionship and variety in life, not to be separated from the world and locked away without anything to do with our time! The United States locked down around April 2020, and my 27th birthday was in May. We couldn't have a party, but the morning of my birthday, (May 2nd), I got some good news! The Blue Angels were going to fly over my part of Virginia in a few hours. We met our friends in a spot right under the Blue Angels' flight path, and enjoyed the show. Later in the day, while picking up pizza at one of my favorite restaurants, I spotted one of my favorite football players, Chris Thompson (Washington Redskins), taking a walk with his family! Of COURSE, I had to say "hi!" I felt so special! I was sure the Lord had arranged the flyover and the football player sighting as a birthday celebration for me. 

  My friend, Elizabeth, shared a beautiful little story with me about how she had really wanted a fancy coat, and through her grandma, the Lord gave her not one coat, but three! Do you have testimonies like this one? I'd love to hear them! This kind of story encourages and builds up others. Blessings have a lovely way of multiplying when shared. 

   And then there are the harder stories. The stories of heartbreak and trial and loss. The comfort that we've received so that, as the Bible says, we can comfort others. (2 Cor. 1:4)

Its not uncommon for me to experience a dark valley, right before I meet someone who is experiencing the same valley. So I crack open that part of my heart that's just been hurting, and tell the person who's facing that hurt now how the Lord comforted me. 

  Vulnerability. We don't like that word. It suggests a position of weakness, like the dog who's laying on the floor with his soft belly up. When the Lord made me, He built vulnerability into the core of my personality. I can talk about almost anything, even with people I've never met before. If you've ever spent time with me, our conversation was deep and meaningful and probably more personal than you expected! That has not always brought happiness to me. There have been times when people I trusted have used my openness to hurt me. But you know what? Vulnerability opens the doors to so many hearts! When you've made yourself vulnerable by sharing your testimony, others feel safe to confide in you. 

  The Bible says that the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

(1 Peter 5:8) He often takes advantage when we're at our worst. When we're sick and tired and heartbroken, he comes to accuse us. Every day, our brothers and sisters in the Lord are facing battles, just like we do. Maybe you will be the one to encourage them today. Maybe you will overcome the enemy by the word of your testimony!