# Be Ready - Wednesday, 2025.12.24 After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them. {Luke 2.17, 20 (BSB)} --- After an encounter with Jesus, most people shrug it off and go on with their lives as if nothing special happened to them. However, there are some like the shepherds that can't stop talking about all that God has done for them. But even with this second group, too often "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things" get in the way of glorifying and praising God. {Mark 4.19a (BSB)} If the "high" of your salvation encounter with Jesus has "worn-off" and now you don't know how to share with others your salvation story, then this post will show you a simple 15-second method. --- 15-SECOND TESTIMONY First, think of two words that describe your life BEFORE surrendering to Jesus Second, think of two words that describe your life AFTER surrendering to Jesus Note, the second set of words can relate directly to the first set, or not Next, plug those four words into this simple formula There was a time in my life when I was {< first word >} and {< second word >} Then, I surrendered my life to Jesus Now, I am {< third word >} and {< fourth word >} Do you have a story like that? Would you like one? --- Here are a couple of examples. The first one comes from one of the shepherds in the Christmas story: There was a time in my life when I was bored and lonely Then, I met baby Jesus lying in a manger as the angel had said Now, I'm too busy talking with people about Jesus to be bored or lonely Do you have a story like that? Would you like one? Here's my 15-second testimony: There was a time in my life with I was lonely and angry Then I put Jesus in charge of my life Now Jesus is my friend and He is helping me with my anger Do you have a story like that? Would you like one? --- As can be seen, each of the examples I shared above departed slightly from the formula. That is okay, but keep the word count about the same. Otherwise, your 15- second testimony will quickly grow into 15-minutes or much longer. Needless to say, there is a lot more to sanctification and discipleship than this simple tool. But one has to start somewhere! --- I'd love to hear your 15-second testimony! Please hit reply and share yours!