evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something; verification, confirmation, demonstration, manifestation
So in Testimony Pt. 1, I talked about why our testimonies are needed to advance God’s kingdom. Our testimonies help to build the faith of others.
Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10: 17)
More faith means more works of God being manifested!!
So I wanted to share a testimony that I was blessed to be a part of…
There was this homeless guy outside of my job who I would often see when I walked by on my slow times. Soon I began talking to him, just listening to his story. He was teary eyed when he said he just wanted to be seen as a person. He had a master’s degree and spoke well, but made some dumb mistakes and soon fell on hard times. I simply told him ‘I see you’ …and he broke down crying.
Months went on and I would encourage and pray for him when I saw him, even dealing with my own life happenings. I didn’t always want to but I couldn’t help but think how easy it can be to fall into his situation. Most of America lives check to check.
So anyway, one Tuesday he looked troubled as I walked by and asked if we could talk. We found a spot near an open fire and he told me his dad had passed away. He broke down because he couldn’t see him before he passed. I prayed for him. I hugged him. I know it looked weird to passers by- me walking around in a hoodie in 30 degree weather and hugging a homeless guy- but it didn’t matter. I literally held him up as his grief overtook him for a moment. I encouraged him, gave what I could, and made sure I left him better than I found him.
The following Sunday, he finally made good on my invite to church! He waited for me after service. I told him that I wouldn’t see him as often because I had lost my job [that’s for another post] but he said that he was leaving soon, also. Unbeknownst to him, his dad left him an inheritance!!! I gleefully punched him in his chest [I was gentle lol] as he told me he would be getting a CAR, a HOUSE, and whatever was left in his dad’s savings [It was significant!] !!!
I couldn’t help but give God glory!!!
By no means do I share this to gloat about what part I played. I was simply obedient.
I share this to say:
First, be kind to people. You really never know what they are going through.
Second, be lead. You may feel a tug in your heart to help someone: don’t ignore it.
Third, no matter what you are going through, God always has a plan to bring you out better than you were before.
So yeah, I lost my job but I needed that win, even if it wasn’t mine personally. It was a win for the kingdom of God and a reminded to me that God has the final say.
evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something; verification, confirmation, demonstration, manifestation
God needs your testimony.
When God blesses us, He looks forward to us sharing it with others. Why? It builds faith.
Before I share a story, in which I’ll try to condense as much as possible, I’d like to share my favorite example of God looking for a testimony!
Mark 5 talks about a woman who had constant bleeding for 12 years. She exhausted her income and saw many doctors but nothing helped. It said she heard about Jesus being in the area and she, illegally [that’s for another post], went out in public to see Him. She kept saying ‘Let me just touch his clothes and I’ll be healed’ (Mark 5:28, paraphrased).
She accomplished her mission in secret, but Jesus knew something happened. After His disciples thought Jesus was crazy for asking who touched him, since they were completely surrounded by people, Mark 5:33 says,
“But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.”
When we pray, God hears us. He always has and will always. Even when we feel like God has His back turned away from us, as Jesus was off to another place in this instance, His power is still available! God is not ignorant to the blessings and miracles we experience; no matter how big or small they are. He is all knowing and ever present.
God is not looking for our testimony just for His enjoyment, He needs it to encourage others. Our testimonies are the building blocks to another’s faith. It’s the missing link.
The enemy loves to make us feel isolated in our challenges, making us feel as if we are the only one who has gone through it. We know from Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus was tempted at ALL points but His resurrection is the greatest testament to God’s grace and love.
Truth is, we are not alone in our struggles. Jesus went through them and so have many other people over the course of time. When God brings you out, because He will, we must rejoice and TELL SOMEBODY!!
Be a tattle-tale on God and what He has done, because it is always good!
People are suffering in silence and needing to hear how God brought you out of a similar situation. We live in a world where everyone has their own personal soapbox to stand on, speaking to an audience willing to listen. Use your platform to encourage others and share your testimony to strengthen their faith. I guarantee you’ll receive their testimony and rejoice with them!!!!!!
Look for Testimony Pt. 2 as I will share a testimony that helped my faith just recently!
Amidst the number of things that I am experiencing right now, I choose to be anchored by God’s word. It’s not always easy, but it’s better than sitting and worrying all day.
Today I am sharing a poem that pretty much sums up a few of my feelings.
Hope Leads the Way…
She winced as the cold air pierced her cheeks like a thousand pins
The wind uncovered her ear and forced air in, in a non seductive way.
As she battled to adjust the scarf she saw them
Cuddled on a bench in the park
Smiling at one another
Their spark was enough to warm even the coldest hearts
She grinned at the sight
Hope took root as a kiss from the sun changed the mood
We’ve all experienced it one time or another. It’s a sticky little booger to deal with!
There is something about imagining big dreams for yourself that attracts doubt. Why not me! Right?
I’ll get my Casper on and be transparent…
I would get so excited about an idea that I would be ready to drop everything and go for it. Like a ‘stop the presses, I need to do this NOW’ type of attitude. I aspired to be a famous author and travel the world after I had a career in the WNBA and won a gold medal at the Olympics for the 100m and 200m track and field events.
I was a super dreamer!! I could’ve done all of that, but I had a hard time with doubt and getting over rejection.
Ok, that’s not entirely true.
I didn’t ‘fear’ rejection, I settled there. It was a like a little shack which had a nice, cozy bed to grumble over the poor decisions I made. Soon enough, before I would ever get started I already had a chorus of NO playing in my head.
What did that lead me to?
A mediocre life at a mediocre job in a mediocre house.
Don’t get me wrong! Having a house, a job, and life are all tremendous blessings from God, it’s just the mediocre part that’s not so great.
I grew comfortable in mediocre. It was a safe place for me to run to and I often carried a bag full of excuses. That is no way to live a life and it is certainly not what God intended for me.
Bag of Excuses
James 2:17 says Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being alone
One way that God helped me to see this better is by having me look at it as fitness, since that’s literally my job.
Faith needs to be used, exercised, and worked in order to get stronger and produce. If I had to put a body to my faith it would be an extremely thin person, just skin and bones. No wonder I was crumbling every time there came a challenge.
I thank God that I am no where near that now. My faith has put on weight…the good kind. One of the scriptures that helped me see that through was 2 Corinthians 1:20.
It says “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘YES’”
Don’t make the mistake I made. Take this scripture and hold on to it for dear life. When people say NO, God already sealed His promise to you with a YES. Prosperity, healing, deliverance, peace, joy, protection, provision, guidance, and wisdom are just a few promises that God has in His word for you.
Get a hold of it and watch God carry you to walking in your promise with His
I pray that you find the courage to be who God created you to be!
So I can be a little unorthodox from time to time (lol), but let me tell you something I learned recently:
I need help.
So…yeah.
I spoke with my mentor the other day and she dealt a blow that hit right in the diaphragm and knocked all of the hot air out of me!! I couldn’t even argue with her because it was true. In my mind, I was already five years down the line, thinking I had a stacks in the bank and was able to take on ten mini projects WHILE providing for my son solo and being a caregiver to a family member.
As much as that gave me a good slap back into reality, it showed me just how important mentors, sisters (or brothers, blood or not), and great friends are.
Far too long, I’ve only scratched the surface of relationships in general. I enjoyed the fact that “no one knew me” but I hated it at the same time. I’m an Aquarius…I know that means something to someone…
Proverbs 27:17 says Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend
Countenance is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a) look, expression b) mental composure, c) calm expression
So basically mentors, best friend, and fam have a long standing pass to say, “You need to fix your crown”.
I understand that pride can sometimes get in the way. It sure did with me! For years. But I thank God that I see the other side of it.
Now this is absolutely NOT your permission slip to go tell someone that thing you’ve been meaning to tell them about themselves for years. Stop it!!
This is a petition for you to pray. To check your heart on the matter. To speak in love. To affirm when needed but to give a good ‘pinch’ when you see them getting off track.
If you can, be a mentor. It’s needed. If you’re a brother or sister, give tough love. If you’re a friend, be a real one.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
This is a long time coming!!
I have walked briskly (…more like ran) from the idea that I was supposed to sit down and write!
I have been writing since I was a kid. I created and printed off a fake news letter in middle school detailing the latest mishaps and relationship woes. (I guess I should be credited for TMZ before it was TMZ).
Even now I write poetry and stories, thoughts and philosophies in my spare time; but somehow I never felt ‘qualified’ as a writer.
Well, here we are.
I’ve loved. I’ve lost. I found a little bit of myself in the process. Now, it’s time for me to encourage others as we go on our respective journeys of life.
I take this opportunity as an honor and my hope is for that feeling to translate in my writings.
Crystal Writes 