“Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
– Acts 9:21 NKJV
Merriam-Webster has many different definitions of the word testimony, but here are a few that stuck out to me: “firsthand authentication of a fact; evidence”, “an outward sign”, “an acknowledgment”, and “a public profession of religious experience”.
If your life has been saved and transformed by Jesus, you have a testimony. If the Lord has performed the miraculous in your life, you have a testimony. Your testimony is evidence, an outward sign that shows that Jesus is Lord, and if you profess it in public, it has the power to change someone’s life.
Acts 9:21 refers to Saul. Saul was known for persecuting the disciples and anyone who breathed the name Jesus. But the Lord had a plan for him.
One day, on his way to persecute the disciples some more, a light from heaven surrounded Saul, and the Lord spoke to Him.
“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
– Acts 9:3-4 NKJV
From that moment on, Saul’s life was completely transformed. God spoke to a disciple named Ananais, urging him to go to Saul, as this would be the start of Saul’s salvation and transformation.
“Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
– Acts 9:13 NKJV
We see that even though Saul was once a persecutor of Christ followers, the Lord called his name for greater — birthing his testimony.
Isn’t that what God does for us, too?
No matter our past, when the Lord calls our name, and we choose to follow, our testimony is used for His greater purpose.
The people of Damascus were so astounded by the sudden change in Saul that his testimony was used to prove that Jesus is the Christ.
“But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”
– Acts 9:22 NKJV
When we choose to share our transformation, or all that the Lord has done in our lives, it can be a stepping stone towards salvation or belief.
I will never forget how my wise grandfather urged my husband and me to share our testimony, as he said it was powerful and could help others.
The first time I felt the Lord guiding me to share a piece of my testimony with another lady, I was so nervous. But as I saw the understanding, comfort, and hope in her eyes, I felt honored to have been used by the Lord.
There are people in the world who need to hear our testimonies! The significance of a testimony is so powerful that it brings hope.
In my case, my testimony of the struggle of conceiving a child after years and hearing the Lord tell me we would have a child, helped a lady in a similar situation.
The Lord uses our stories of struggle, addictions, pain, rebellion, and sickness for greater.
It can be scary to share pieces of our testimony as we fear rejection or judgment. Saul, too, faced this judgment, and there will always be someone ready to judge. But if the Lord is calling you to share, it is for a reason.
So I urge you today to step out in faith and boldness. If the Lord is calling you to share your testimony, share it confidently.
It could possibly save someone’s life.
Graceful Warriors 
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