Recently my
family had the opportunity to speak at our church for the Sunday sermon. Dad turned the planning over to me. I selected the passage and assigned the tasks
to each of us. It was a first for
me. Since our family has chosen I
Thessalonians 5:16-18 as our year “verse”, it seemed good to use that
passage. Dad did the Bible exploration
and I did the final challenge and prayer.
My mom did the spice! She added
the color by giving a personal illustration.
I naturally felt a fair bit of stress as this is
certainly out of my current routine. Since
the passage says “rejoice always. Pray
without ceasing. In all things give
thanks.” it would not be appropriate for me to meltdown in the midst of this
presentation. Just doing this sermon was
an opportunity to put this Bible text into practice. I must admit running up to the day I slept
poorly and made several bad decisions.
Yet the day of presentation did arrive.
Dad did great.
Mom was outstanding. Then I was
on. I had a written text to serve as a
guide and I plunged in. It just flowed
out and God’s spirit flow through me and into my fingers that were doing the
communication. I felt freedom and
passion. Then it was over. I felt relief! Yet, that was just the first service. I still had one more to go.
God worked in the next service, too. But I was drained from the experience. I felt Satan creeping up saying, “You didn’t do
a very good job. You were weak. What makes you think you could talk to these
people? How could you share anything
worthwhile?” I sat down and wept. But God used my parents to speak truth over
Satan’s lies. In that moment I could
rejoice for my Redeemer is in control of my life. I am weak, but God is not! He chose me as His
spokesman for that time. I rejoice He allowed
me to do His work! So I am even today
rejoicing because God is directing me day by day. I may look like a broken person on the
outside, but I am whole on the inside because my Redeemer is in me!
