Might Get Loud

We all have a story to share of the Goodness of God in our lives. None of our stories will be the same; they are unique to each of us as individuals and our personal faith stories. Our stories may be different and personalized, but the underlying message of God’s unfailing love and mercy remains the same for each and every one of us.

I have really felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit over the last couple of months that we are to share our stories. We are to talk about the things God has done and is continuing to do in our lives. The world needs encouragement more than ever right now, a reminder that God is working in our midst. I really do feel, though, the emphasis of it being US sharing our OWN stories. I mean, yes, it is true that someone else can look at us and see from their point of view what God is doing in our lives and share it with others, but it lacks the element of first-hand experience and may not be the whole picture. I truly believe there is POWER in us opening our mouths and speaking out how God has changed MY heart, saved MY soul, blessed MY life because it comes from personal experience, not someone looking in from the outside. In the court system, one cannot testify as first-hand knowledge on behalf of someone else; they can only speak of what they know or their opinion on the matter, which leaves room for conjecture. The Webster’s Dictionary defines conjecture as “an opinion or conclusion formed based on incomplete information.” You see, you can only truly testify to what YOU have seen, felt or experienced.

There is a song by Elevation Worship which I can honestly say was part of the inspiration for today’s post as it talks about sharing what God has done for you. Let’s face it right now: our world is noisy with all the messages of fear, dread, hopelessness and selfishness. How amazing would it be if we, the Children of God, started to share our stories, sharing about the hope and peace found only in Christ. If even a portion of us started to and momentum began to build, man oh man, I can only imagine that it just might get LOUD!

Excuse me for a minute 

But I have got a song to sing 

It might not be on key 

But it’s from my heart 

No one else can tell it 

What the Lord has done for me

This might take all day

So I better start right now 

When I think of where I coulda been 

Shoulda been woulda been

if he hadn’t stepped in 

I got a praise on the inside that can’t be denied 

and I gotta get it out right now 

Honestly for weeks, I have been playing this song non-stop. Every time I do, something builds up inside of me just like the lyrics state: that “I got a praise on the inside that can’t be denied and I gotta get it out right now” Friends, now more than ever, I truly believe the members of the Body Of Christ need to stop shying away from sharing what no one else can accurately express, and that is, what the Lord has done for you, in you, through you and everything else in between!

In Daniel, we hear a story about King Nebuchadnezzar and the golden image that he created for the purpose of forcing people to worship it. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to follow orders, King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fiery furnace. Now the story goes on to say that God protected those three brave men, and they were not burned or harmed in any way. Seeing this miracle, King Nebuchadnezzar came to the quick realization of God’s existence and realized the evil in his heart and the error in his ways. This miraculous story of the power of God has not one but four first-hand personal experiences. You see, we can only read about the story while only Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, along with King Nebuchadnezzar, can accurately share what each of them went through and how their lives were changed by the Almighty God. So just like Meshach would be able to piece together what he felt King Nebuchadnezzar experienced, it would never be as accurate as when King Nebuchadnezzar told it himself. Same as King Nebuchadnezzar would be able to conjure up a timeline for what the three men went through in that fiery furnace, but only Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego can truly testify what happened for THEM that day.

“King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.” Daniel 4:1-2

“Jesus answered, “No,” but said to him, “Go back to your home and to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you. Tell them how he had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

“My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.” Psalm 71:15-16

“Return to your home and your family, and tell them all the wonderful things God has done for you.” So the man went back and preached to everyone who would listen about the amazing miracle Jesus had worked in his life.” Luke 8:39

Today, I encourage you to ask God for boldness to take a step out of your comfort zone, not to shy away from sharing your faith story and speaking of His goodness in your life. You have no idea how your story will impact other people’s lives. Let’s get LOUD together!

Father God, thank you that each and every one of us has a unique and wonderful story of faith to share. May we grow in boldness when it comes to speaking out about what You have done in our lives. May the message of Your love, mercy, and grace become so loud that the messages of the world have no choice but to become faint and distant.

Amen!