My Salvation Story

So, this week in my lifegroup Bible study, we're looking more closely at the discipline of witnessing (probably the one that is the weakest discipline in my life).  It seems such a daunting, scary task to share Christ with a world that doesn't want anything to do with Him.  This was my idea of witnessing:  I just assumed that those around me who aren't believers will see Christ in me, and then if it really interests them, they will inquire about it themselves.  Then, I'd be more than happy to share my salvation story with them.  I have so missed the point of being an ambassador for Christ...

This morning, I was reading and responding to the lesson "Telling Your Story."  I was reading the passage in John 4 about the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well.  She talked with Jesus, realized who He was, and couldn't wait to go back to tell her friends, family, and neighbors about Him.  John 4:39 & 42 say, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony...They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves and know that this man really is the Savior of the world."  All the woman at well did was share her story of her encounter with the Savior of the world.  Because she was willing to share, others came to know Him too.

I've been challenged to share my story, and I'm starting here:  I became a believer and follower of Christ in the 6th grade.  I had attended church my whole life, and one night at home, I realized that I needed to make the decision to follow Christ and live my life for Him.  I had heard it hundreds of times, and I did believe that God was the Creator, that he sent his son Jesus to earth to live and to die so that my sins and the sins of the whole world could be forgiven.  I believed that Jesus rose again and the Holy Spirit is given to those who believe in Him.  I am promised eternal life in Heaven when I die, and my purpose on earth is to give God glory and point others to Him.  Since becoming a christian, I have found joy in times of discouragement, peace in times of turmoil, and hope in the promises of my Savior.  I have not lived a perfect life, but God still loves me and forgives me when I confess my sins to Him; I strive to live a better life as I continue to grow and learn about Him.  I've learned that He has the best plan for me, and so I choose to follow Him.

Would you be willing to share your story?  Would you tell someone in your life about how you became a Christian and how life is different now that you are a follower of Him?  It's really that simple, and you can do it because you've experienced it.  I'm so thankful for God's saving grace, and I am praying that I will have the courage to share my story with those who need to hear it.