Saturday, August 17, 2013

Baa Baa Black sheep


My testimony, in so many ways is very uninspiring. It doesn't have a lot of sparkle, or drama. There is no big showdown between darkness and light. It's just the story of a girl, who grew up with amazing Godly parents, married a boy, and grew to make her faith her own.

Sometimes, (and now this is a real 'churchy' thing here) we get the visiting preachers, with their amazing testomonies about how they were drug dealers, and alchoholics, and porn stars and criminals. How they were the lowest of the low, and God raised them to amazing heights. Those stories, those testimonies, they are astounding. I love them. I never cease to wonder at how miraculous my God can be.

But they leave me walking away, comparing myself and my own life, and feeling very, very insignificant and boring.

However, in God's eyes, the faithful man who grew up in a church, loves God with all his heart, attends church every Sunday, who prays devoutly, and does whatever he can... is of no less value than the amazing preacher who started off as a crack baby. 

The parable of the lost sheep is a powerful one. For so long, I've read it wrong. Here it is:

 Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

 Luke 15: 4-7

I've often put myself in the 'ninety-nine person's who do not need to repent' category. But that's ridiculous. I need to repent. Of course I do. I'm not righteous. We are all lost sheep. We are all valuable.

My testimony may not illustrate the amazing power of God's goodness over evil. But maybe it's not supposed to. Maybe my testimony is supposed to demonstrate God's unfailing, unwavering love. Maybe it's supposed to show the need for Godly parents who pray. The importance of a Mother who surrenders her child to God. While it's true (so far) much of my life may not have seen fantastic peaks or low deep valleys, it has had it's moments. And maybe it's a testament to the many terrifying depths He saved me from. The ones I don't even know about.

Every testimony, is powerful. No matter what we do, or don't do, no matter what we've done or haven't done. The only thing that really matters, is making the decision to love, and follow Him. We are all a lost sheep at one point or another. He will always care about us, and come for us. No matter whether we have wandered for a very long time, and gotten very dirty and damaged, or whether we only wandered a very small way.  The shepherd will always do his best to seek his lost sheep, because they are of value to him.

5 comments:

  1. I disagree! Your testimony IS a powerful story of God's goodness over evil!!! How many people who grew up with Godly parents turn from their parents and choose a different path. Your upbringing, while a very positive influence, does not dictate your decision to follow Jesus. You still made that choice, and not just when you were young but as you got older too :) You are an amazing example of someone who has remained steadfast and faithful despite those around you choosing different paths - you had to go against the grain to remain in the church, and that takes guts. I will guarantee that EVERY SINGLE person who has one of those "rags to riches" stories would give anything to have had a lifetime of Jesus' love :) I know I would! Don't discount the power of a testimony that shows a long term, unwavering commitment to Jesus :)

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  2. hi Robyn, just wanted to stop by and let you know I nominated you for a Liebster award on my blog today. xo Aroha http://coloursofsunset.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/the-leibster/

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  3. Every testimony is powerful. To me, yours proves how faith can be enriching for anyone, regardless of circumstances. It may not have 'saved' you in the way it has others, but it still works to challenge and reward you, which leads to a fuller life and more complete person.

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  4. THis is so good Robyn. So true. I have put myself in the 99 category as well, and you've put it so plainly that it is obviously foolish of me! Lately I am SO aware of how my I rely on myself, and really, am I robbing myself (and God?) of the opportunity for him to do something through me?

    Anyway, you've made me think. Thankyou. :)

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Thanks for stopping by, I would so love to hear your thoughts!

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