Oh, to get into the mind of a preacher. Sunday comes again and again. You better have something inspirational to say, and it better be good.
Your insecurities sometimes come out. Who am I to speak to these people? What am I going to say that they haven't heard before?
You look out at the kind and loving faces and realize that you have been here for so long that almost all of them know everything about you. Every thought, every story, every sermon line.
You are wondering if this sermon is going to do anything for anyone. It's just more of that "put your trust in Jesus stuff."
[now if that sounds like a weird statement, it is. Please give way to the strange things that brains think. Of course the trusting in Jesus stuff is the good stuff. it is the only stuff, but sometimes you have this funny feeling that you should be providing something new. As if there was a new gospel.]
Back to the story. so, you are kind of consumed with your own worries. Your insecurities are floating to the top. Then you see the person. The one. You know what they are facing in their life. They are in as difficult of a spot as anyone could every be. Your heart goes out to them. You realize that they are here looking for a poignant moment, for a bit of inspiration, for a touch from God.
Your feelings change. Now you know that while 1000 others may have heard it all before, this one will hear it today as if they have never heard it before. The thoughts about the sermon change. The joy of the gospel touching a needy heart rises to the top. It is time to preach. You don't even look at them, you don't have to, because you know their heart will be taking it all in. And the words go out, to all, to the one. And you know that the part about trusting in Christ lands in at least one heart that is looking for hope in their life. Probably a lot of others too.
So for you, you who is the one. The one whose heart is in desperate need. From the heart of a sometimes worried, sometimes confident, less than perfect, sometimes insecure servant of God, here it is, the gospel, the good news. Put your trust in Jesus. He can fill the emptiness inside of you. For the one, for you. And for everyone else of the 1,000 as well, it is still the good news. It is the only news.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
11 comments:
Educational research has determined that we have to hear something at least 5 times before it really begins to be a part of us, so don't worry about repetitions!
Ahhh, but Jeff...that was the one heart you KNEW was in a difficult place. There are many who put on smiling faces and act as though their lives are just fine while their world is crumbling around them and they are working desperately to hide it. They've heard it 1000 times. But this time they were in a place to really hear it. And you delivered. And you didn't even know you reached them. You will probably never know who they are. But you touched them anyway.
I was the one.
just like in the word...he left the ninety and nine to find the one. Jesus is interested in The one. Aren't we glad that we had an opportunity one day in our life, to be the one.
I could listen to you say/preach/talk about the same thing again and again . . . not sure how long it would take for me to think "I have heard this before" . . . kind of like the beach . . . not sure how long it would take for me to tire of being there . . . ever been compared to the beach?? Both you/the beach . . . good for my soul. :) kb
You know you've done a good "job" on Sunday when you have 3 comments on your blog so early Monday morning.
We love what you have to say--no matter how many times you say it. We need to hear it.
It's funny though, when I read one of the comments by an anonymous "I was the one", I froze for just a moment--I thought I was the one. We all did. You're good. We love you.
I keep forgetting to buy waterproof mascara.
Tonia
Even if I've heard it before, I need to hear it again. I want to here it again. Nature cries out. Friends. Faith. It never gets old. Especially when you're the one talking about it. Your insecurities are because of your humility, and that is a good thing. Continue being who you are, continue telling stories about how the people of WCC live out their faith, continue cracking the "wife wrote the sermon" joke. It's what makes you YOU.
Matthew 11:28 is in my pocket. Thanks.
Dave
I have been in sore need of inspiration lately, and I thought your sermon was one of the best you've ever done. (If I'd heard it before, I seem to have forgotten it!) Took notes and everything. One source of inspiration you mentioned was "friendship." Sure enough, at the Music Picnic after church, a friend came to me with a story that inspired me and blew me away. Wow. Weird how it all fits together sometimes.
Jeff, never before in my many years of life(not telling how many, enough I should have been in this place in life before) have I desperately wanted and made an effort to be in church, your church, no matter what! I absolutely agree with the beach comment! Love the beach and never ever tire of it! Don't get a big head, ok? But, you are delivering what we all need to hear, no matter how often you think you say it. It sounds different on different days!
And on from the beach comment . . . it feels good like the beach . . . soothing, calming, and sometimes a little rough too . . . like God has put you here for us . . . hard to put into words, but you've got a way of communicating/talking/being with us . . . a way that we hear and relate to and can follow. Thank you. We love you.
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