SHARING IS CARING
Luke 8:39 is a powerful verse where Jesus tells the man who was healed from demonic possession: "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." The man then goes throughout the town, proclaiming what Jesus had done for him.
This verse reflects a few key ideas:
- Personal testimony: Jesus encourages the healed man to share his personal experience, showing the importance of individual testimonies in spreading the message of God's power and grace.
- Transformation: The man's transformation from being possessed and outcast to being healed and restored demonstrates the profound impact of Jesus' ministry. It shows that even the most marginalized individuals have a purpose and a story to tell.
- The call to share: Jesus doesn't ask the man to follow him physically, but instead to go back to his community and share the news. This highlights that the work of spreading the Gospel doesn't always require going far; sometimes it means sharing within your own context.
It's a reminder that our experiences with God are not just for our benefit but are meant to be shared with others to show the power of God's grace and mercy.
How often are we silent when God has changed the trajectory of our lives? Sometimes, we may experience profound changes in our lives through God's work, yet we remain silent or hesitant to share what He's done. This could be due to fear, uncertainty, or simply not knowing how to express the magnitude of what has happened.
The man in this passage was radically changed—he went from being tormented and outcast to being healed, restored, and given a new purpose. And Jesus specifically asks him to go and tell others about the change. It's such a stark contrast to how often we keep quiet when we've been touched by God's grace. Maybe it's because we don't always see the immediate impact of our testimony, or we fear that people won't understand the depth of what we've been through.
But sharing the way God has changed our lives is incredibly powerful. It gives others hope, lets them see God's work in real and relatable ways, and can even inspire others to seek that same transformation. In a sense, our silence can sometimes minimize the glory of God's work in us. By speaking up, we give others a chance to see God's faithfulness and power, just like the man did in his community.
It's a challenge to share boldly, but it's also an opportunity to reflect on the immense power of God's transformation in our lives, just as it was for this man.
Pride, selfishness, and a lack of appreciation can play a big role in why we sometimes hesitate to share our testimony or the work God has done in our lives.
Pride can make us feel that we've earned the good things that have happened to us or that we don't need to be dependent on anyone, including God. When we don't recognize the source of our blessings, it can keep us from expressing gratitude and sharing our story with others.
Selfishness might manifest in wanting to keep God's blessings for ourselves, not wanting to be vulnerable, or not wanting to inconvenience others with our story. We may think, "It's my personal business," or "People won't understand what I've gone through," which leads us to keep our transformative experiences hidden.
A lack of appreciation can sometimes make us take God's work in our lives for granted. When we don't fully grasp the magnitude of what He's done for us, it becomes easier to stay silent, not realizing how much our story could inspire others.
But when we truly understand and appreciate the change God has made in us—whether big or small—it shifts our perspective. We realize that our story isn't just ours to keep; it's a testimony of His power, grace, and mercy. When we appreciate that, sharing becomes less about us and more about giving glory to God and encouraging others in their own journey. Our stories, when shared openly and with humility, can reach people in ways that words alone often can't. There's something deeply powerful about hearing how God has worked in someone's life, and it often resonates with others in ways we might not even realize. The truth of the gospel becomes more tangible and real when people see the transformative power of God in action.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, recognizing the incredible transformation You've brought into our lives. We thank You for the work You've done in us and the grace You've shown. We confess that sometimes we hold back, keeping Your goodness to ourselves out of fear, pride, or lack of appreciation. Forgive us for the times we've been silent when we should have spoken up about Your faithfulness and love.
Lord, we pray that You would give us boldness to share the stories of Your power in our lives. Help us to recognize that our testimonies are not just for us, but for the encouragement and salvation of others. Stir our hearts with a renewed passion to share the gospel, and help us to see the eternal impact that sharing our stories can have.
We pray for those around us who need to hear Your message of hope. Open their hearts, Lord, and prepare their minds to receive Your truth. May our words and actions reflect Your love and bring others closer to You.
Please guide us, Lord, to be more aware of the opportunities You give us to share the good news and give us the strength to speak when the moment comes. We trust in Your timing and Your plan. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.