Living Out Loud

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Day 9: Living Out Loud

Rev. Luke Powell

Lopez Lomong became a successful runner for the USA, despite a traumatic start to life in South Sudan, as told in his great book Running For My Life.

As we saw yesterday, Lomong wanted to succeed in his running - not just for his own glory, but so that he could help others, and build a hotel and do other good works back in the country of his birth. The main way he saw himself doing that was telling his story, to raise awareness of the situation in Sudan.

Using Your Platform to Tell Your Story

So when HBO contacted him to do a feature on him after he won an important race, he said yes, and this is what he writes in the book: "Anytime anyone asked me to tell my story, I accepted the offer. Running gave me a platform to talk about South Sudan and the lost boys. I had to use it."

Now, in a sense this reminds me of the Apostle Peter, who wrote this: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15) Peter was saying that we should always accept an offer to tell our stories! Our stories of how Jesus changed our lives and gave us hope and redemption.

Here's an idea. Take 5 minutes today and try to write your testimony on half an A4 sheet of paper. Getting it out, writing it down, is such a powerful process! In fact the first time Lomong had to write his story in that essay that won him a place in the USA, he says this in his book: "I did not write my story for the Americans. This essay was a prayer I wrote for God alone, a prayer I hoped He would answer." Perhaps you might approach this in the same way? Write out your testimony as a prayer, as a thank you to the Lord for what He has done in your life. That will be a wonderful experience.

Preparing to Share Your Testimony

Then, once you have written it, think about how you might memorise your story. That might sound strange, but again, think of Peter's words about always being prepared to give an answer for the hope you have. Perhaps you have never been ready for such a conversation - but if you write it down and memorise it, surely you'll be more ready than before.

Then, practice it! Try it on your closest Christian companions - family, or friends perhaps. Tell them your story. Ask them how it came out. Make some tweaks based on their recommendations and your own prayer.

Then, ask God for the chance to share it! Lomong was longing to share his story, and it was a remarkable one. Probably none of us have a story as compelling as his, but still there is probably someone somewhere who will relate more to your story than to his. Ask God for opportunities to share your testimony! And seek out such opportunities. You don't need to bully anyone into listening to you talk, but it could be that a conversation opens up more naturally to it than you realised before, now that you are ready.

Lomong's story, in his book and in documentaries and other places, made such a difference in many lives. Don't rob someone of the blessing of hearing your story, plain though it might be.

God will use your testimony in a powerful way, if you will allow Him!

In fact may I ask you to share your testimony in the comments below today? That would be a wonderful blessing to me and others to read your stories.

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