It’s been 4 years since Adrian was healed and several million people have heard our testimony. It’s a good opportunity to remind everybody of what a close friend said: “If this can happen to Adrian, it can happen to our son, too. I know you, and there’s nothing special about you guys!”
I love that she said that, especially because it’s true. We are just ordinary people with an extraordinary God.
I asked Adrian how he felt about all the attention that his story gets. “Oh, I don’t notice,” he said, shrugging his shoulders before telling me of his day at school. He’s happy to share about what God has done in his life but he’s not affected by the attention. “It’s not about me, it’s about what God has done.”
Our motivation for sharing our story is to give God glory for what he has done
Paul said: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Cor 1:31, NIV). No matter how ordinary we are, there is nothing ordinary about our God. He is the Creator, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Provider. Our God is reigns sovereignly, loves unconditionally, and he’s the One who delights in delivering us.
What happens when we tell others?
When we first started sharing our testimony it was interesting to see how people responded. Some cried, some giggled. Others took a step back while studying us carefully. A few dismissed what we had to say, but very often they would come back after some time to continue the conversation. Nobody remained indifferent. Even non-believers wiped their eyes and rejoiced with us. They were all happy to see at 12-year-old boy get a life and a future.
Everybody got hope. Suddenly they saw their own situation from heaven’s perspective, realizing that if this could happen to us, it could equally happen to them. After all, there’s nothing special about us.
As we tell people of our encounter with Jesus, they want to experience his love for themselves. An encounter with him leaves a lasting imprint. As the people told the woman at the well: “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42, NKJV)
He will do it again!
Hearing the testimonies of God at work changes our perspective. Our faith grows. Suddenly we see our circumstances through Heaven’s eyes. We recognize the truth when introduced to it: that with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37, NKJV)
Several times we have seen people be instantly healed as they received our testimony. It’s like the veil covering their eyes is suddenly torn aside and they see clearly who God is and what he wants to do in their lives. I love those moments when they realize that God passionately loves them, and that he’s not only capable of healing; he wants to!
What about those who are not healed?
Often when we share our story people begin to share their own encounters with God. There’s nothing greater! But often they add “I haven’t told anyone. My friend is still sick, and I don’t want her to be disappointed”. I find this to be an issue of misplaced compassion. If I’m sick and I hear of someone else getting healed, that fills me with hope, not envy. Always choose to rejoice for the healing of others, praising the Father for all that is good.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. (Prov 13:12, NKJV)
Desire the presence of the Father. Worship him, no matter your circumstances. Watch your inner being come to life.
No matter if you are sick or healthy, you can still be a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever you do shall prosper. (Ps 1:3, NKJV)
As we share the wonderful news of what the Father is doing, hope rises.
Truth shines.
Dawn comes.
Life draws near.
But even if no-one ever listened we would still tell
He’s worth it. Our loving God is worth every word of praise that we could ever utter. We tell our story because our hearts overflow with gratitude for the One who paid the price in full for our son’s healing.
Jesus is worthy of everything. We gladly give him our all.