Monday, March 08, 2010

Wh I preach God and not Me

Back when I was a preacher in the church (about 3 years ago), one of my congregants came to me and said she didn’t really know me and where I came from and what I believed.

That struck me as odd. Had she not been listening to my sermons? You can pretty much understand what I believe by listening to my sermons. As for really knowing about me, I never really preach about my self in a deep way. My sermons are always to focus on God and Jesus Christ incarnation. If I wanted to center on this humble pastor, I would be saying my words, not God’s. (on another note she could have asked my any question at any time and I would have been happy to answer.)

But something else I have realized the last few years is if I get too personal and too deep in my public sharing (not one on one but in a group), I cannot keep it together. I’ve seen this happen with my pastor. He will get choked up about specific issues that are near to his heart. But he always could keep it together.

I’ve had a those Glenn Beck moments. And recovering from those is not a quick bounce back. I stood up at men’s group the other day and opened up completely to how Dave had brought us to this church and me to this group and I could not continue. When I was baptized it was the same way.

But when I am preaching and it’s the Word of God I am speaking, I am emboldened not broken, powered not empty. And the Word penetrating your soul to empower and embolden you. That’s why “Fear Not” is in the bible so many times. :o)