Guest post submitted by wanderer1088 
Jesus came to save the mediocre too.
It often seems unless you have a grand story to tell about your life how Jesus saved you from some terrible life you are ignored. We have created an atmosphere in the church were people with non glamorous stories are passed over. We want to know about the ones Jesus saved from drugs, parties and sex. Not the ones were they came from a fairly normal family but as a child didn't receive the attention they needed or were given to many responsibilities and lived their childhood as an adult. the stories which seem plain, boring or average.
We forget though everyone has a different set of life experiences based on their family, where they grew up, their friends, school life and their interaction with the church though it is not just limited to this list. since everyone has a different set of life experiences they in turn have a different story. We all can't be saved from a life of drugs, sex, money, parties and the like.
Some people have been saved from the ordinary because that is where God reached them. they have been saved from routine, from letting their heart die because life has become so habitual. John 10:10 says, "
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus desires that we all have life abundantly and part of that I believe is to encourage and uplift each other. How can we be a body of believers who are supposed to encourage and uplift each other when we say some stories are more important than others.
I don't know maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so. Maybe I'm just one of the those crazy people standing on the corner shouting the world is coming to an end but not really understanding what I am talking about. I know two other people who feel somewhat the same on this subject but three people is not a majority and does not mean you are right.
I'm reminded of something one my professors said (I am paraphrasing here). He said if we listened to each other more often-like truly listened- then the need for therapists and counseling would go away. I believe he is right if we just listened to each other more often things would be different. When I say listen what I mean is sitting down with a friend and just letting them talk. A time free from judgment, trying to fix their "problem" a time of listening which is full of caring and love.
If you take nothing else from this post please remember that you can make a world of difference if you are willing to take time and just listen to the people around you.
Do you think as a church we've glamorized the "extreme" stories and overlooked the "everyday" ones?
Comments (7)
Absolutely we have. I think it's important to show that God's grace, and forgiveness are good enough for even the worse of sinners. If we only focus on these people though, some people might feel left out. When I was young, I didn't have an awesome testimonial, where God saved me from the world. I just always knew about God, so it was hard for me to relate sometimes.
Yes! I used to think I sucked because I didn't have an extreme testimony. But I realized that my testimony still continues to build.
I've grown up with Jesus, but when I was actually reborn, and started getting serious about Christ, the more problems I had with running into sin.
Being a Christian doesn't always fix things. In my case, it made things worse in a sense because Satan wants to push the Christians down. So he pushes sin in our face and makes it really hard not to fail.
Also let's remember that the best testimony came from someone who did nothing wrong at all.
I can't speak in general terms, but in my limited experience I'd have to say yes. I went to youth group with one of my Christian friends a couple of times, and the testimonies were always sob stories about how they used to be so bad, they were into drugs, they were into a bad lifestyle, they were such sinners... From the point of view of someone who wasn't in that faith at all, it just reinforced stereotypes and came off as really cliche. I'm sure there are people whose lives have been like that... but they aren't representative of everyone.
EXCELLENT POST!!!
I got saved at 9 and always felt bad that I didn't have some near-death experience, saved-from-an-addiction testimony, miracle testimony to tell. I know that sounds strange to say that, but I had friends who had had those and while I wasn't taken by the glamourness of their testimony, it just always seemed to make me feel ordinary if you know what I mean. But through the years, I have come to realize that it doesn't matter HOW one comes to know Him. It's simply that one does! I'm just glad I found Him as a child. Sometimes I often wonder, with all that is out in the world now, if I would have if I hadn't as a child, you know?
"He said if we listened to each other more often-like truly listened- then the need for therapists and counseling would go away. I believe he is right if we just listened to each other more often things would be different."
I believe you are correct on the above as well. Each trial and tribulation we face I believe has meaning and significance. Mine are usually to teach me something in my Christian walk I believe, but so many times IF ONLY someone would share their experiences, especially the bad, others could learn. They may not take heed necessarily, but at least the thought that someone else has done been down that road and could possibly offer advice helps! I always say every person's life is a story to tell. The question is will they open the book for others to read?
Again, excellent post!
I think it's kind of hard since I have an "everyday" testimony...I didn't have a specatacular testimony, since I was saved at about 5 years old.
no... i think it's not all churches. every saturday we have testimonies in our college youth group. our testimony has rarely been about sex, drugs, or party. maybe it's the culture that matters. i'm from the philippines btw... and our testimonies here are varied; ranging from passing a quiz to being saved from depression. ask your ministry about it.
I think there is a temptation for believers sometimes to embellish their story because the stories of others seem so dramatic. It is wrong to think that because the transformation in the lives of believers is really radical - maybe not always is the details of everyday life, but in the basic philosophy and motivation for doing good and pleasing God. Everyone who is born of God is a new creation!
You probably did not mean to imply that believing as the majority do makes you sure you are right. Right?