True Testimonies

Devotion by: Tammy Finger

John 5:31-47

‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent.

‘You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings. But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?’

“Testing, testing, one, two, three! Are you there? Did you notice? Do you really care?” This is a game I have often played, as a parent, with my three children. They do things that make me sit up and pay attention, straining our relationship, making me a parent instead of a friend. I have a similar relationship with God and Jesus. I often question and have doubts. He has sent messengers to me and sent me to places that make me notice He is there and in charge, not me. He has shown me connections that only He could arrange. God has an interesting sense of humor!

When we were transferred to Northern Virginia in 2000 from Houston, Texas, we came with an unhappy attitude and a list of five ELCA Lutheran churches to visit. We were active members of Kinsman Lutheran Church for seventeen years. I doubted we would find a church we liked half as well. I had two criteria: a pastor with a good message and an active youth group for Susanna. She left the only home, church and youth group she had ever known. After visiting three of the five churches without much enthusiasm, we visited Christ the King, the farthest from us. God must have wanted to wow us that Sunday, because, when we walked into the vestibule, we were greeted by Joe and Greta Rymal and Pastor Gysan and LaVonne -- all from Texas! Our church home was found, without a doubt. The Texas connection has continued and grown, showing us we are at the right place. God is here for us and watching over our every move!

PRAYER: God of grace and mercy, guide us to put our trust in you and be patient and know you are in charge. Help us ask for strength when we are in trouble or doubt and to faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.