[preface]
== Preface

I have heard a lot of testimonies in my nearly 40 years as a Christian. Some have been inspiring, but many have just annoyed me. Why? In many cases, we try and arrange what God has done. We don't need to do that! Is God (who created the Universe) not big enough to look after himself?

There is basic pattern that all testimonies follow:

- I was a monster
- I did stupid things
- God did stuff that removed the consequences of my action
- LOOK AT ME! I AM A DOCTOR/PASTOR/AUTHOR!!!!!
- My life now runs on rails

When I read the bible, I do not see this pattern in people's lives. When I read about Paul's life I see a man who was a monster. This man had a profounded encounter with Jesus, and turned around.

He was then beaten, insulted, worked his hands to the bone, shipwrecked, imprisoned and was ultimately (tradition says) beheaded in Rome. Along the way he had no fixed abode, no security, suffered chronic health issues (his thorn in the flesh) and who knows what else.

We also see people who lived relatively unremarkable lives, such as Ruth, but were faithful to God in everyday things.
I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the vast majority of people have a story more like Ruth than Paul or Elijah.
