Some months ago I was asked to give a talk at ladies’ evangelistic event, which is the biggest event our church ladies’ group has each year. After some prayer I agreed, even though I’d rather stand up and sing any day than talk.
For a time I had no idea what I was going to talk about so I did what I usually do when I havent got a clue, I asked God for his wisdom of what to do talk about and His words.
The thing I love is we have that assurance from God’s word that no matter what the situation, we can trust God to supply what we need. The Bible tells us ‘But if I any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him, James 1:5.’
So I clung to that promise, figuring it wasn’t just for the guys but us women as well. Time went by and I still didn’t have any ideas. But then one day as the deadline loomed, I sat down after prayer and wrote the first draft of a talk.
Over the next days I polished and edited, adding things and taking some things out till eventually I had something and a length I was reasonably happy with.
On the morning of the talk God gave me in my normal bible reading some special verses from Hebrews that reminded me ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ Hebrews 13:5 so that we confidently say ‘ The Lord is my helper I will not be afraid.’ Hebrews 13:6. And this one:‘Now the God of peace…….equip you in every good thing to do His Will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and eve. Amen.’ Hebrews 13:20-21.
Peace reigned in my heart all yesterday as I went over the talk, making sure I was as prepared as I could be. Still I waited for the nerves to hit. The amazing thing was as I took the stage I was perfectly calm as I looked out at the sea of faces, many of them ladies who don’t normally come to church.
When I told my daughter today, she said ‘I was praying for complete calm.’
Well, God sure answered.
I knew there were other dear friends praying too. We may not be part of the same congregation, we may not even go to the same church or denomination, and it doesn’t matter. There is unity because we all worship the same Lord and can pray for each other.
Another thing that took the pressure off me, was knowing that I’m not responsible for doing anything but delivering the message God gave me. He is the one who will make the words bear fruit. I’ve done my part; the rest is up to the Lord.
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