I’ve always loved the story of the healing of the man born blind (John 9). Perhaps it is because Jesus sees this man that others most likely walk past. Perhaps it is because Jesus doesn’t leave this man in the same condition he finds him. Or perhaps it is because it reveals to me that sharing the work God has done in our life, testifying or witnessing, doesn’t have to be complicated or poetic.
Jesus heals this man by placing mud on his eyes and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. “The man went and washed and came home seeing.” Everyone who knew this man noticed the change right away and asked him how such an amazing change had taken place. The man replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." That is a testimony. It is not complicated or poetic. It is simply the truth, with no spin, hype or polish.
Last week one of the young men who gives campus tours shared with me a comment from one of the parents on the tour. Upon entering University Ministries, the young man shared the vision of our department and then mentioned the names and roles of a few of our staff members. When he mentioned that I was the campus pastor, the parent said, “Judy Howard, the one who went to school here a long time ago? I thought she was more likely to end up in prison than in ministry.” I laughed when I was told this story. In fact, I was more offended by the “long time ago” comment than the reference to prison.
I am not ashamed of my story. Indeed, I was a bit mischievous when I was a student here at North Park University and I was not a likely candidate for ministry. Some are ashamed of their past, that they were once blind, so to speak. I’m not ashamed at all for it is all the more evidence that God has done something miraculous in my life. The man they call Jesus touched my life and made me whole. He told me to follow him and I did and now I am living whole life. That is a testimony. It is not complicated or poetic. It is simply the truth, with no spin, hype or polish.
In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”. This does not mean that each of us must run around knocking on doors and handing out flyers about our faith, although it wouldn’t hurt if a few more of us were a little more forthright. However, it does mean that we need to be living lives that would cause the world to ask about the changes that have occurred in our lives. And it does mean that we are willing to point them to the man they call Jesus who made these changes possible. Are the changes in your life that visible? Would someone else notice? Has someone else asked?
The man they call Jesus is the one who has caused so many blind to see, so many lame to walk, so many lost to be found. I pray that this week you might experience his touch upon your life in such a way that it changes you so thoroughly that those around you notice. And I pray that you would be able to bear witness and to offer a testimony to that touch. It doesn’t have to be complicated or poetic but it should be unapologetic and honest.
