Like many people out there, I have always been terrified of expressing my ideas on the internet. I am very aware that my grammar is something usually lacking, and sometimes the written word is not the best way for me to describe certain concepts successfully. Despite all of that, I have realized that people will always do so anyways. We will always express ourselves imperfectly, imprecisely, and can even be completely wrong! This is not something that should stop us, but instead realize grace within one another. Slowly I am realizing that it can be in those imperfections that I can best learn about identity. We are broken human beings relying on the grace of God, and we are called to act despite these things.
I have always loved the short prayer said by many ministers before a sermon taken from Psalm 19. "Holy God, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be pleasing in your sight. Amen"
I have used these words myself as a prelude to the few sermons I have preached in various places. These words ring so true for me. True because it reminds me that these words are never my own. They are words given to me, and I am thankful because if I had to do this alone it would be much more painful. I would constantly be frozen in this fear to share my own personal experience of God.
I have used these words myself as a prelude to the few sermons I have preached in various places. These words ring so true for me. True because it reminds me that these words are never my own. They are words given to me, and I am thankful because if I had to do this alone it would be much more painful. I would constantly be frozen in this fear to share my own personal experience of God.
When we speak about God we can fear of saying something wrong. We can wonder, who am I to say these things? This is something that I have always struggled with and wondered. God, who am I? Who am I to say these things you have called me to? These questions can also run into a "Why me?". The great thing is that I am not the first to wonder and say such things. We always have such a long biblical history where many have stood before God and trembled to speak what had been revealed to them. Moses asked someone else to speak for him! Paul told us in his letters that speaking was not his strong suit. It did not stop these people from performing. God still worked through them and all of their shortcomings.
So here I am, warts and all. I invite you to email me and comment on anything I write! Let us learn together about how God is revealed to each one of us.