Gift of Experience

At service this morning, I was challenged in a new way in regards to sharing my faith. I'm always nervous to get in a discussion with someone out of fear that I won't know the right answer. I don't know all the history and answers and scientific facts - I didn't ask those questions when I became a believer.  I simply just knew.  I could feel the Spirit moving, and it finally just made sense.

 

John 9 tells a story of a blind man being healed by Jesus.  People are trying to make sense of this, and what role Jesus has played in it.  The man is asked several times about how it happened, and to answer more specific questions about it all.  In verse 25, the man responds,

 

“…one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

 

The man didn’t know the answers to all of the Pharisee’s and people’s questions.  He simply knew what he had experienced – he was blind and now he could see!

 

Experience is such an amazing gift.  It’s in our experiences that we are able to share the life-changing reality of the gospel.  When we experience something, it’s not just a theory anymore – it’s REALITY. 

 

The pastor challenged us all to simply share our experiences with others.  I don’t have to know all the answers to all of the questions.  I can simply tell others what has changed in my life because of His Truth. 

 

I wrote down the question, “What all have I experienced?”  

I know I’ve experienced a lot, and I know I will continue to learn and go through new things.  I also know that everything I’ve gone through has an incredible purpose. 

 

I’ve experienced a broken heart. 

I’ve experienced what it’s like to idolize relationships.

I’ve experienced a broken family.

I’ve experienced divorce and all the heartache it causes.

I’ve experienced a life driven and defined by performance.

I’ve experienced manipulative and controlling relationships.

I’ve experienced verbally and mentally damaging relationships.

I’ve experienced shame and the feelings of unworthiness.

 

By the grace of God, I’ve also experienced God’s mercy, justice, and love in those same circumstances.  That’s what I get to share!!

So I don’t know all the answers.  I can’t use big words and quote history and tons of scripture like a ‘good’ apologetic.  But I can share what God has done in my life.  

No one can deny that.  No one can take that truth away.

 

We are simply responsible for sharing what God’s done in our life and through our experiences. All we have to do is share the goodness of God’s gifts of experience.  He does the rest.

 

Talk about a load off of our shoulders…!

 

Let’s be bold and share the truth that is found in the REAL impact of the gospel on our lives.  You don’t need a Master’s in the Bible to be able to do that :)