Some say it was Ernest Hemingway who first wrote the famous six-word novel: For sale: baby shoes, never worn. Whether it was the famous American author or not, the allure to compact an entire story into just six words has sweeping appeal. It’s sparked contests, books, websites, memes and countless high school writing assignments.
I have always been fascinated with six-word memoirs because they remind me of the power of words. I am a rambler. When I speak, I often choose quantity over quality and I have to work hard to pair my words down to only what is necessary. It’s a struggle I face every day as a writer and speaker.
Perhaps this is why I have such deep respect for the blind man in John 9. If you’ll remember, Jesus chose to heal a man who had been blind since birth, and the Pharisees became enraged because Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath. They interrogated the man about Jesus demanding that he tell them everything he knew about the miracle-worker. He didn’t know much. He couldn’t answer all of their questions. He didn’t have the elaborate explanations they sought. All he could do was tell them his story:
“I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
The simplicity of his six-word testimony should be encouragement for us all. Most of us don’t have all the answers when it comes to explaining God or sharing Christ with those around us. We have questions too. We’re still figuring it out ourselves. So sometimes, since we can’t explain everything, we don’t share anything. We keep our mouths shut because we’re worried that we’re unqualified or unprepared to witness.
But may I remind you, we all have a personal story to tell. If you have trusted Christ, you have a Before and you have an After, just like the blind man. And that’s where you should start.
There is nothing magical about putting it into exactly six words, but I do challenge you to see if you could write your testimony in ten words or less. Here are a few generic possibilities to spark your creativity:
- I was lost, now I’m found.
- Once an orphan, now I’m adopted.
- Sentenced to die, now fully pardoned.
Do you think you can write your own testimony in under ten words? Share yours in the comments below and I’ll share mine as well. I can’t wait to read about how the Lord has impacted your life!
He caught me when I fell.
Losing my eyesight, not my faith!
Love this!
Looking back, I recognize His plan.
Drowning in debt – Swimming in retirement!
Wow, that’s a good one!
Felt unwanted. Jesus showed His love for me.
*From rags to riches & back again
joyce dupree says: married 53 years – glory to God.
Saved, Sealed, Delivered, Set apart Forever!
My cup runneth over with Jesus
Destitute. Unworthy. Jesus….Believed, Beloved Bride!
Miracles don’t bring salvation, conviction does!
I am alone but not lonely.
I am greater than my past.
Love!
He died, I live, and you?
Y’all, I am LOVING these simple messages of God’s work in your lives! They touch my heart! Keep ’em coming!
Here is how I like to summarize my lengthy testimony:
Played Scrabble with God and won.
I’m interested in hearing you unpack your six word testimony!
I’m hopeful that the Lord will allow me to share a bit of it in this upcoming Bible study! I love sharing my testimony!
Lost
Abused
Unloveable
Redeemed
Included
Encourager
My plans thwarted, His plans perfected!
Unknown debtor, forever changed, beloved heir.
It sounds like there’s more to your story too!
Rainbows of love,
Ribbons of pain,
Rescued by grace!
Beautiful!
Child abused, abandoned; Christ saved, healed
The first part of this one hurts my heart. So sorry. 🙁
Beauty from ashes, glory to God!
Mike’s sister. Patrick’s wife. Their Mom.
Even though I know, (insert: truth, scripture, etc.)
the struggle is real!
Saved by Grace, headed for heaven!
He made me white as snow!
Surrender: the first step toward love.
All alone yet surrounded by people
I’ve been there! Hugs.
Once was broken, but now healing.
Congratulations Jennifer Kane – YOU ARE OUR WINNER! Please send your mailing address to emily (at) priorityministries (dot) com so I can give you your Nichole Nordeman CD!
Thank you at much!!!!! I sent an email of my address.
Too hard.
“Your precepts have given me life…”
“I would have perished but God.”
“From darkness into His marvelous light…”
Past is erased, Future is grace.
The walking dead, Alive in Him.
I saw heartache, God made miracles.
Yes He did! 🙂
Recognized, Rescued, Redeemed
Flawed, Forgiven, Faithful
Be still and hold on! God will take you there!
Hardest thing I ever did … stayed.
Freely loved. Freed to be me.
Broken preachers daughter renewed by Grace!!!
My Savior rescued me from myself.
Addicted to lustful heartache, now overwhelmed by His uncondional love.
Sang a song. Now do missions.
This made me smile! 🙂
Invisible > valuable. Victories > defeats. Savior’s presence ENOUGH!
My broken heart. God reversed it.
“God reversed it.” I love that!
Alone, Afraid, Unknown…
Darkness to Light…
Perfect Love & Truth…
(John 8:32, 17:17)
Running…Chosen
Broken…Restored
Unsure…Truth
Once fearful, now hero in training.
He was there all the time!
I love this one!
I trusted Him; His faithfulness endures.
No hope, now my cup runneth over.
Heart broken…
But God
Mended heart!
Hopeless and ashamed, Redeemed by LOVE!
Unloved and abandoned; now God’s treasure.
Lost, Down,and Out… Until Him!
Set free to live for Him
Life is meant to be good.