Is Don. Is Good

Another year, another testimony. Wow, throughout the year I’ve always been anxious of what I would talk about if I was asked to do a testimony at Ablaze service. It was no different when I was asked. Funny thing is, I actually had something in mind, but the topic I was asked to testify about was something different than what I was thinking of, but in writing this testimony, it helped me to realise other good things that have happened throughout my life
Was still a little nervous this time round, my legs felt like they wanted to give way haha glad I managed not to move too much . 8 months, I believe since my first one. Well, here it is:

Hello. My name’s Donovan. I am currently doing a Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment at QUT and am part of the uni group, Powerhouse.

Tonight, I’d like to share with you on the topic of reaching out to our friends.

From the beginning, I’ve never thought of myself as an influential person or one that could make an impact on people’s lives. I used to think of myself as just the average, everyday person. It was after discovering my identity in Christ that I truly realised my value, that I could do so much more than I ever thought possible. It was thanks to people in my life who have helped me realise this, especially from Ablaze who’ve invested into my life.

During my Christian walk, I’ve discovered that it’s not your talents, skills or abilities that determine your impact on people, it’s your heart. When God sees a heart that yearns to make an impact on people’s lives, God moves so powerfully through you. It was the beginning of this year that really started it for me. The burden of reaching out to my friends was not originally on top of my priority list. I remember hearing a question that went along the lines of “You have received salvation, now what are you going to do with it?” I heard this quite some time after my own salvation and it really struck me, as I used to be more of a spectator Christian, one that would be more reactive and not so much proactive.

Before I received my salvation, I used to drift through life, taking things as they come, and not thinking much about life. Having received salvation, my life has taken a turn for the better. One of the big things was direction in life, but the main thing is the fulfilment that comes from salvation. There’s nothing else that I’ve experienced in life that’s like it. I’ve seen people wonder through life seeking for something that will fulfil them and I know that only through knowing Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour, that they can find true fulfilment

The result of impacting other’s lives is two-fold, I’ve found. Not only do they feel valued and loved, but the joy you receive is unparalleled. Through simple acts of kindness such as opening the door, serving food or helping clean up, these things can be used to show the love of Christ to reach out to them. One of the ways we have been outreaching in our unis is through our lunch time groups called Link. Link is a time where we come to hangout once a week and is a great way to introduce our uni friends to people from Ablaze. Through Link, I’ve seen the impact we’ve had on the friends I’ve brought along. One time, I couldn’t make it, but my uni friends still went to Link, which I seriously didn’t expect to happen. Praise God.

I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage you to really invest into other people’s lives. For nothing is as important as giving people the assurance of knowing that they have value. I’ll never forget that someone went out of their way in reaching out to me.

I’d like to share a word with you from the book of Acts 20:35
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

For I have found this to be so true in my own life and I know it to be true for you as well.