Using Our Unique Testimony to Impact the World – 2.11.23
This is my friend Emily. Emily grew up in Chiayi, Taiwan. I first met Emily in July of 2018 when she arrived in the U.S. to attend our school as an international student. Emily is one of the most kind, gentle, intelligent, inquisitive, and conscientious people I know. Emily ended up staying at PCA for two years and graduated as a member of the Class of 2020. Since graduating, she has lived in Brussels (Belgium), Bicester in Oxfordshire (UK), and currently resides in London (UK). She is currently praying about where God is leading her next and He is teaching her much during this period of discernment. Emily was in town in October and I had the opportunity to visit with her on a few occasions while she was on campus. I was able to follow up with her yesterday to get an update on how she was doing. I continue to be amazed by how God is working in each of our lives, in diverse ways, on different continents, drawing us closer to Him.
Can you imagine moving across the globe to a foreign land, not knowing anyone, living with strangers, no transportation, attending a new school, all at the age of 16? That is part of Emily’s testimony. From the moment Emily arrived, she exuded an endearing gentle kindness that broke down barriers within her sphere of influence. Emily was fond of greeting people by saying, “you are precious”. She began greeting me in that manner, and I would respond in kind. Over time, it became a bit of a contest between the two of us. On any given day, which one of us could say it to the other first. Emily would win most of the time. She’d catch me off guard with a,
“Mr. Sheets, you are precious”! I’d find myself shouting, “you are precious” down the hallway to her first thing in the morning. This type of greeting is definitely outside of my typical disposition. It’s not that I don’t believe each person is precious, it’s simply that I don’t typically express it to them in such a bold and forward manner. Emily drew it out of me, and it brightened many of my days. We have continued these exchanges on social media comments, message correspondence, and during visits. Emily’s impact on me has been significant, and I am thankful to know her. Her testimony has impacted my testimony.
Emily’s time at PCA was abruptly cut short. Emily’s senior year was the 2019-2020 academic year. Imagine being in Emily’s shoes as the world came to an abrupt stop because of the global pandemic. Across the world from family, virtual school, fear of the unknown, significant limitations to travel, etc. As the situation began to unravel, Emily and her family made the difficult decision that she needed to come home as soon as possible. In April of 2020, shortly prior to her graduation and departure, Emily gave her testimony as part of our virtual chapel during Holy Week. If you haven’t had the opportunity to view it, I encourage you to do so here. Emily’s testimony is powerful. Unfortunately, Emily was not able to graduate with her classmates, but instead graduated by herself in the parking lot with hundreds gathered to celebrate her and bid her adieu. Such a unique time, such a unique testimony. God can use even the most remarkable circumstances to grow us and bring glory to Him. All of it becomes part of our unique testimony, a testimony we can share with others.
During her visit in October, we covered many topics – discerning God’s voice, knowing when to wait and when to act (taking a step of obedience), the importance of mentoring others but also the importance of being mentored, how to respond to challenging questions, the enticing lies of the enemy that persuade many, and perhaps most importantly the power of our testimony.
My conversation with Emily coincided with a season in which I was reading through the book of John. As we discussed the power of testimony, I was reminded of the interaction between Jesus and an unnamed Samaritan woman. Jesus overcomes racial, gender, sin, and religious boundaries to invite the woman into a relationship with Him. Despite numerous attempts by the woman to redirect the conversation and encounter, Jesus persists. Ultimately, the woman acquiesces and accepts Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, but she doesn’t stop there. Check out what she does next:
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Why did the people come to meet Jesus? Because of the woman’s testimony. Why did the people believe? Because of the woman’s testimony. Why did many more become believers? They had an encounter with Jesus and heard His words, because of the woman’s testimony! This is the same woman that they had likely castigated and relegated to the margins of society because of her wayward behavior. But she was willing to share her testimony with them, and they believed it. Not only did they believe it, they acted upon it so they could see for themselves. Her testimony led some to believe, then Jesus stayed, and then more believed. Her testimony was powerful. Emily’s testimony is powerful. My testimony is powerful. Do you have a testimony? The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that we were once dead in our transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1), but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ (v. 4-5). We have been saved by grace, we are God’s masterpiece, and we were created to do good works, which he has prepared in advance for us to do (v. 8-10)! For those of us that are in Christ, this is our testimony. Like the Samaritan woman, like Emily, like me, I wonder, have you grasped ahold of the new life Jesus is offering you? Do you have a testimony? If you do, you were meant to share it.
Sometimes God has to momentarily remove us from our current context to teach us something, something that He needs us to apply when we are reintroduced back into that environment . That is Emily’s story, that is my story. It is likely your story as well. God is always working – regardless of our situation and regardless of whether we can see it. We need to take the time to listen. His voice is still. His voice is small. But His voice is constant and it is powerful. What is He saying to you now? What does He need you to learn so you can make an impact for His glory? What is He calling you to do that may be scary, but it is right? Will you have the courage to listen and obey? Will you choose Him over self, over comfort, over insecurity, over fear? He is building your testimony so you can share it with others.
During her visit to the U.S. Emily took time to listen. She took time to grow. She took time to ask hard questions. She took time to seek the counsel of those she can trust for guidance. When she returned home, she experienced a season of trial, discouragement, and conflict, filled with unexpected challenges. That often happens when we set out to do great things for God. Over the past several months, Emily has experienced both highs and lows in her walk with the Lord. Emily told me that she was recently reminded, “that God will speak to us through His people in the midst of our most challenging circumstances so we can give Him the glory”.
Emily recently lived this out as she traveled to Amsterdam and was introduced to YWAM (Youth With A Mission – https://ywam.org). Not only did God use some unexpected circumstances and His people to speak to her, but He helped her to realize her calling. She feels called to minister to the women and children of the red-light district in Amsterdam. As we discussed this newfound passion, I was reminded of the following words by Frederick Buechner, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Emily envisions herself knocking on doors, loving women and children, sharing her testimony, and inviting them to know Jesus. Exactly like Jesus did with the Samaritan woman. Exactly like Jesus did with Emily. Exactly like Jesus did with me. Emily is trying to discern if she should continue her college education, enroll in a Discipleship Training School through YWAM and serve in Amsterdam, or some combination of both. As we discussed these decisions yesterday, I realized one of our alumni who had attended a DTS through YWAM was on campus. Naturally, we invited her into the conversation. Hardly a coincidence. God is good. Emily has also experienced many answers to prayer involving her family and friends. She testified that we must trust and never lose hope! I invite you to join me in praying with and for Emily. God is still writing her testimony, and she is still sharing it.
What is your testimony? Are you willing to share it with others? Just like Emily, God has given you a unique testimony and He wants you to proclaim it to others. Your testimony will reach people differently than mine. We are all essential parts of one body. Who can you share it with today? You are not responsible for the results, only sharing what He has done for you.
Emily, if you are reading this, remember, you are precious! You are a unique Child of God with a powerful testimony. I pray you continue to share it with the world. God will use you to draw people to Him because they can see the hope you have. Fellow alien in this world, I can say the same about you – you are precious! You bear the image of God and He loves you dearly. If you are in Christ, you have a testimony to share with the world, but you are the only one that can do it. Will you share it? Don’t hold back, the world needs to hear your story. If you are not in Christ – I urge you to be reconciled to God through Him today. I would love to have that conversation with you. So would Emily.
Remember, this world is not our home – our citizenship is in heaven!
In Him,
Andy
An Alien Journey 