From a Mess to a Message

What does your mess say about you?  I've often said that in the ministry of reconciliation, our testimony is one of the most powerful tools we have; indeed, the one that makes us the most authentic and credible.  It is our life's experiences (especially the most difficult and challenging) that determine the kind of ministers we will become.  It is often the things we suffer that equip us to be more compassionate, sensitive and loving ministers of the grace of God.  The more we can identify with the various levels and complexities of the human condition, the more God can use us to encourage, edify and comfort those who are suffering.  In a tapestry, the mess in our life represents the backside of life that produces a beautiful testimony that glorifies and honors God.

In this life we will have trial and tribulation, but Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."  Jesus.  The same Jesus who lives in us has "overcome the world"!  That means we have world-overcoming faith and strength on the inside of us.  Greater is He that's in us, than He that is in the world.  Those of us who have suffered and overcome, now have a message to share with someone else.   

The world is looking for overcomers - those who have experienced the fellowship of His suffering AND the power of His resurrection!  Therein lies our message:  how we got over.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers us out of them all!  What kind of things have you suffered?  How has God delivered you?  What scripture(s) sustained you?  How did you maintain your peace?  How did you overcome worry and anxiety?  The answers to these questions become the life-giving message God wants to use to bring salvation and healing to the lost. 

Our testimony is the message born out of our own spiritual journey.  Sharing our message prepares the way of the Lord in the lives of the unbelieving.  We become agents of reconciliation, reconciling the lost to God, in a loving, non-judgmental way - not counting their sins against them.  In this, our momentary and light afflictions work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! 

You Are an Eyewitness!

An eyewitness is someone who has first-hand knowledge of a dramatic event through seeing or experiencing it themselves. 

In 2 Peter 1:16, the Apostle Peter is writing to the scattered believers throughout Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) to warn them about false teachers that had infiltrated the Christian community.  So he wants to remind them of the truth in which they first believed by saying "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 

The Apostle Peter and the other Apostles were not only eyewitnesses of miracles Jesus peformed:  the calming of the sea, the feeding of the 5,000, the Transfiguration, the restoring of sight to the man blind from birth, not to mention, the raising of Lazarus from the dead!  But the ultimate miracle of all was The Resurrection of Jesus Christ himself!!  I mean you can't top that!!  Can you imagine telling someone, my friend died, I went to the funeral to pay my last respects, but three days later, my friend rose from the dead!!  His body was no longer in the tomb where we buried it!  I actually had breakfast with Him on the beach!! 

Phenomenal right?  Well, not only did Peter experience all of that first-hand, he had his own testimony.  He was an eyewitness to what Jesus Christ had done in his own life!!  Remember brash young Peter, making loud declaration that he would never forsake the Lord Jesus Christ.  How confident and sure of himself he was?  Jesus, knowing the hearts of men as He did, told Peter, "I tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  (Matt. 26:34)  Then he was put to the test!  Jesus was betrayed by Judas (not by Peter, although you could say his betrayal had just as much impact) and handed over to be judged and crucified.  And the words that Jesus spoke came back to Peter in an excruciatingly painful moment, and he wept bitterly at his failure. (Matt. 27:69-75)  Although I'm sure it seemed like this was the end of the world for Peter, it was not the end of his story - not by a long shot!

When Jesus miraculously returns to them in His glory, He does the most wonderful thing!  "...Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord" he said, "you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."  Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."  The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"  He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."  Finally, Jesus says to Simon Peter, "Follow Me!" 

What a wonderful restoration!!  Jesus fully restores Peter to the ministry, giving him instructions to feed the lambs (new converts), to guard and care for the flock (discipleship) and feed (bring to maturity) the sheep.  How was Peter supposed to do it?  Jesus said, "follow me."   This is Peter's testimony of the grace, forgiveness and reconciliation to be found in Jesus Christ!  

The role and purpose of an eyewitness is to give an account of the things he/she has seen, heard and experienced first hand.

You too, are eyewitnesses to what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in your own life!  Do you remember all the things He's done for you?  How he forgave and forgives your sins, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with love and compassion, satisfies your desires with good things, and renews your strength like the eagle's?  He has done marvelous things in your life and you are equipped to give an eyewitness account to others!  Your testimony is a powerful tool in the ministry of reconciliation!  We help others to overcome by the "word of our testimony!"  So use it!  "Go!  Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and lo, I will be with you even until the end of the age."  (Matt. 28:18)