Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
When I gave my first short public speech at age 10, I never wanted to give another one. The music teacher asked me to give a patriotic testimonial. When I stood before the several hundred people in the room, I stammered and said a bunch of syllables that were nonsensical in my mind. The people laughed, and I swore I would never do that again.
Fast forward to 1994. My great aunt was in a nursing home and asked if I would provide music for the residents. At first, she introduced me, and I just played songs for 30 minutes with no commentary. Each week, I gained confidence. Before I knew it, I would at least open the program with a welcome and prayer and close with prayer. One year in, I commented between songs and even found the courage to provide a short devotional message. God gave me the courage. At the end of the 4 1/2 years of weekly nursing home ministry, I was preaching weekly sermons to the residents, often 30-45 minutes in length. This was the thing that helped solidify my call into ministry.
For 35 years, I have been either giving speeches or performing music on church stages. God has brought the weekly music ministry to an end, but I am eager to continue to speak His name as opportunities allow (hopefully until the day God calls me home). The thing that still makes me the most nervous brings me the greatest joy. I never imagined this!
While some avoid these opportunities at all costs, I embrace them. Why? God has given me a message. When God gives you a message, He tasks you with getting the message out.
I will forever use my first public speech as a story of how God can take a shy, backward boy and make Him a spokesman. If He can do it for me, He can give you courage too. Surrender to Him!
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