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bible, Christianity, faith, family, jesus, lessons learned, life, marriage, personal, preaching
The event was low key, around 60 men gathered for breakfast and bible study, separated into tables of ten. I am still a relative newcomer — my wife and I moved to the area a year and a half ago, started attending the church shortly after we moved. Someone casually mentioned to the church staff member who organizes the men’s breakfasts that I might be a prime candidate to speak/teach/preach. So, here I was, standing in the background as the church pastor introduced me as that morning’s speaker.
I wasn’t terrified.
Instead, a calmed relaxation took over when I stepped up. That should have been a surprise to me, but I was prepared (over prepared) to speak, and a lot of prayer preceded my time to speak. I’m not sure how many times I asked God for the words that would bring his message to someone who needed it, and for the humility to speak in a way that glorifies God. Way back when, when I used to preach on a weekly basis, I don’t recall ever praying for humility before I spoke. For that matter, I don’t remember a time when so many people prayed for me before I spoke. I received numerous text messages the week prior to the breakfast, specifically to encourage me as I prepared. When the morning came, one friend pulled me to the side to pray for me, then a few minutes later three others prayed for me with our church pastor. No wonder the anxiety of speaking melted away. The format was scripture mixed in with teaching and discussion questions. Time flew by. I was having fun. And I felt that awesome touch of God while speaking.
The encouragement continued, with questions and appreciation. This afternoon, the church pastor reached out to thank me, told me the message was phenomenal, told me that many guys commented about how God was clearly speaking through me. I am truly touched. Yesterday, the pastor gave me several shout outs during the sermon, including using my biking as an illustration, then closed the service by reading from the John 10 passage I used for Saturday’s breakfast.
It’s been quite a while since I was a preacher — nearly 40 years. Preaching as a 64 year old was a different experience than as a 24 year old. It was fun in a different way, the purpose maybe a little more clear than it was then. For that matter, I can see the difference in how people listened to and responded to the older me.
Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag. I have already been asked to consider preaching on a Sunday morning. I asked Lisa what she thinks about that, mainly because she had to deal with me while I prepared for Saturday. She said yes, but any future sermon prep needs to be in my basement office. Let’s just say I get a little grumpy when my thoughts are disturbed! Also, Lisa is not used to seeing me lose sleep over anything. Normally I am out for the count within seconds of my head hitting the pillow. The nights immediately before Saturday found me retreating to one of our spare bedrooms, my thoughts swirling with ideas for the sermon. I probably preached it a 100 times in my head. Saturday, when I got home, Lisa knew what to expect. I slept for a few hours Saturday afternoon.
When the next opportunity comes, I have to remind myself to remain humble. There is nothing worse than a preacher who is full of himself. But it does feel good to have done a good job!
shenrydafrankmann 