The first time I was encouraged to write out my testimony, I was taught this important lesson: When we look back on our life and reflect on the way God used specific people, moments, struggles, or any other means, we see His faithfulness.
The past few months, my life group has taken turns sharing our testimonies. This past gathering was my wife Kelsey and I’s turn. It was so good for us to spend time preparing together and reflecting on all the ways God’s perfect timing has played out in our life. From job changes, to starting a family together, and even orchestrating the move to Marshall not that long ago, we can see the ways God has been faithful in our lives.
I’m starting to plan the worship songs for our Lenten services. I can’t help but spoil our church’s anthem for the Stories of Grace nights. Not only has the song “So So Good” by Phil Whickham been running through my head as I recently shared my testimony, but it’s a perfect fit for the Stories of Grace nights as well. Once you read these lyrics, I think you too will fully understand why it’s a perfect fit to sing on these nights.
This is my story, I testify
The blessings on blessings You poured on my life
When I start remembering how good You’ve been
Fear turns to worship, tears turn to praise
Chains of depression broken by Grace
When I start remembering how good You’ve been
Yeah, You’ve been so, so, so, so, so, so good to me
From morning to night
The lows and the highs
I look back on my life and all that I see
Oh, You’ve been so, so, so, so, so, so good to me
When I say “God is good, ” you say “All the time”
When I say “All the time, ” you say “God is good”
Aren’t those lyrics JUST PERFECT?! I don’t know about you, but I’ve struggled to declare that “God is good all the time” amidst hardship, during transition, or in the brokenness of the world. That’s why I love the lyrics we sing in the chorus “when I start remembering how good You’ve been”. Key word: remembering.
When is the last time you paused to reflect on the way God has shown up in your life? Even if you aren’t one of the four people sharing your testimonies during Stories of Grace, I still encourage to look back on your prayer life, your transitions, those pivotal conversations, those lows, those highs, and look for the ways God showed up. Everyone has a testimony; how do you find yours? Maybe this looks like reading an old prayer journal, writing out a family timeline, writing down influential people and what they’ve told you. As you look back, you start to remember how good He’s been, and when you do . . . give Him all the praise.
Amen