A lot of us are carrying baggage that we need to share, but we don’t know how. I don’t know about you, but this was true for me for years. If someone had just helped me break through, it would have been a gift. If I’d understood how to talk about some of the painful stuff I’d been through and if I’d had a safe place, then perhaps I could have learned to operate as a free man.
Taban is a mechanic but use to be
a soldier. While in the force during the Sudan civil war, he got into a fight
with another soldier, shot and killed the fellow. He was sent to jail for a
season but later the Judge sent him to the war front with the mandate to bring
back five rifles.That meant he’s to kill five enemies, collect their
weapons, thereby complete his sentence and purchase his freedom. He succeeded
but became a more violent man.One day, while driving some other soldiers to
another location, he decided to kill himself and all that were in the army
truck with him by driving it off the road into a gully.When he turned off the road, he said he didn’t know
how the truck jumped over the ditches and everyone survived. He left the army
thereafter.This man’s testimony was one of rage that often led
to murder. Here was a killer seeking Jesus and finding Him among other hurting people like himself.Taban entered a church for the first time in
six years last Sunday. His confession encouraged others to freely tell their
story of pain with graphic details and ask for forgiveness. From witchcraft,
abortions, bitterness against God for various reasons… we heard it all.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
hi seth, how precious your tale of “bearing one another’s burdens” is…**** like in galations(6:2)’Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.’****
i believe you have also illustrated the verse in james5:16’Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’ ((not in the sense of Righteousness toward God, of course, but all in the context of consoling)). this truth that we are: “knowing no man after the flesh”–2 Corinthians 5:16. ***helps us take our focus off our failures & keep attention on JESUS’ VICTORY.***Amen.
after all, many a christian–having a ‘high & mighty spirit,’ is hiding something so hard to bear, that they cannot feel the joy of their salvation. they are the ones trying 2 make the brethren feel condemned. (some preachers fall into this category).
it’s how i myself suffer– being unable to openly teach the Good News of Christ to the lost–due to the many offenses in my past. (i still am not completely free of that ‘fear of man’– but my ministry now is to the brethren–whom i treasure more than my life).
i hope every day to be a blessing to any christian who is down…due to lies of the enemy.
that’s why i get out of bed each day, blessings:) from marilyn.:)
Thanks, Marilyn. Appreciate the encouragement.
Inspiring. A reminder for us all!
Thank you for leading a generation willing to be freed
Excellent thought! I love this!!!!!
Seth, thanks for your blog encouraging us to share our story. I’ve been working with the following organization (http://www.flatironschurch.com/shift/) for the past 7 years and have seen the power of sharing. I lead at times the introductory session to those attending SHIFT for the 1st time. I continually see that the deeper I share with the first timers the deeper they share why they came to SHIFT. Your blog brought to light the heartbeat of what we have discovered about the power of sharing. Thanks for your encouragement to to keep on sharing.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” (Revelation 12:11)
Could this verse be saying that, after love, our greatest tool against the enemy is the transparent sharing of our lives with others?
A transparent, open life and heart, even when seemingly wounded and broken beyond repair, allows the Holy Spirit to heal and empower not only us but those around us.
It’s the humanness quotient.
When we share our “humanness” and utter need of Christ’s transforming power, we create a space where others can embrace their own frailties, fears, and weakness.
What a combination!
Our unique testimony of our need for God.
And, His blood that covers it all.
Love,
Judith
Thank you, Sandy! Blessings on your journey. Judith