You Don't Want My Testimony

Matt. 5:16 says, “… let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

I met a man named Dave Roever when I first came to know Christ back in college. Dave had come to our campus by invitation to give his testimony before the student body as part of his ministry at the time. Dave’s story was an amazing one of tragedy to triumph(that is also the name of his first book). Dave was sharing with us how, when serving in Viet Nam, a bullet struck the phosphorous grenade he was holding in his hand and it exploded. He was burned beyond recognition and lost some fingers and most of his skin. Dave recalled promising God he would serve Him for the rest of his life, if He would spare him from this “near death” experience. God honored that request and Dave recovered after many surgeries and hospital stays. He also was married to his wife for 53 years and has a loving family to this day. After Dave spoke, he was giving time for comments and questions from the students who were present. It was informal, as I remember standing next to this man as he spoke with our group. I recall one young lady coming up to Dave and saying, “Mr. Roever, I don’t really have a testimony like yours”, and she appeared disappointed by that fact. I’ll never forget what he said to her at that moment… “You don’t want a testimony like mine," he said, “You have your own…” The girl looked at him with amazement and said, “But mine isn’t as exciting as yours.” Dave went on to say how beautiful the girl was and asked her if she loved Jesus? She replied that of course she did and that’s why she was present that day. Dave said she should be forever grateful to God for not having to go through what he endured all these years in pain and suffering. He insisted that HER testimony was just as powerful as his because The Father had heard both their cries and saved them. As you go through this day, remember the power of your testimony because it is unique to you and no one can take it away from you. Don’t live by someone else’s experience, there is always someone who needs to hear what you have to say about His amazing grace.