So last week, Steve came to me and asked me if I would preach on Sunday night. I told him I would love too and was really excited to do so. In 7 or 8 years of ministry, I've been fortunate enough to speak hundreds of times, so this shouldn't have been any big deal for me to get ready for. I realized shortly after saying yes, that wasn't the case. As I did a lot of wrestling with the text that week, I found out there was a lot of emotion wrapped up in this for me and self imposed pressure to perform.
(Many of you who know me well, know this is one of the things I obsess about in my life. I've spent more time watching & listening to guys that I'm willing to admit.
Yeah, it's probably a little weird to you, and at times, weird to me to)
The reasons I thought I had to perform:
1. We've got the best in the business around here when it comes to communicating.
2. It had been over 2 1/2 years since I was asked to speak to a mainly adult audience.
2. It had been over 2 1/2 years since I was asked to speak to a mainly adult audience.
When those are at the forefront of your brain, you automatically think you've got to rise up to the challenge...
Saying all that.... well... It wasn't the best sermon I've ever preached. I mean, it was probably a 6.5 I struggled through a lot of it, had a hard time balancing my time, struggled into transitioning on to the next point, and really left with out a strong conclusion.
Putting all that pressure on yourself and then not performing, you might imagine how disappointed I was.
However this was the best thing that could have ever happen to me because of all the stuff I learned / relearned.
Here's what I Learned:
1. Know your audience. Just because you are successful with one audience doesn't mean that will carry over.
2. Allow the people in the audience who you trust to be honest with you.
3. Allow the experts to critique you, and make you better. I sat down with Steve and Brent and listened intently as they poured so much into me.
4. Don't think you are to good to learn from everyone. If you can't learn from people, than you've got a heart issue.
5. Realize that everyone won't think you are Billy Graham.
6. It's in these moments that God renews your passion to refine the gifts God has given you.
7. Let it go, trust God, and get ready for the next week.
