I am not exaggerating when I say that I am undergoing a shaking.
I am one of a group lay folk who each give a Bible study to Spanish speakers. My presentation is more like a sermon. I have, in a sense, felt pruned in preparing for these. I have been writing and writing my words. For many reasons: getting rid of the unnecessary, the religiosity, any doctrinaire sound without compromising Scripture. And, all the while, I marvel at how much I've taken my pastor's preaching for granted. So, I describe below how my efforts are evolving. Fact is, I've given one presentation, and a final one looms. In retrospect, going through the first one was like going into a frying pan--I had little inkling of the disciplining of the Lord that was to come as I opened my mouth in front of attendees. I am yielding. Here is my understanding of the process, so far:
“Let not many teach”. *
If there’s a greater judgement,
Is it prep’s silence?
Let the lay prepare!
The honor, of teaching, burdens.
The bare soul squirms.
Wadded basket shots
Mute inscribed, stifled, stale thoughts.
I beg ideas.
Did I yawn the preached?
Rather, I blinked at the gift,
Staring at my need.
Now, the lecturn looms.
Will my chastened soul convey
The things so b’yond me?**
____________
* My brethren, let not many of you become
teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter
judgment (James 3:1 – NKJV)
** 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV)
I am one of a group lay folk who each give a Bible study to Spanish speakers. My presentation is more like a sermon. I have, in a sense, felt pruned in preparing for these. I have been writing and writing my words. For many reasons: getting rid of the unnecessary, the religiosity, any doctrinaire sound without compromising Scripture. And, all the while, I marvel at how much I've taken my pastor's preaching for granted. So, I describe below how my efforts are evolving. Fact is, I've given one presentation, and a final one looms. In retrospect, going through the first one was like going into a frying pan--I had little inkling of the disciplining of the Lord that was to come as I opened my mouth in front of attendees. I am yielding. Here is my understanding of the process, so far:
“Let not many teach”. *
If there’s a greater judgement,
Is it prep’s silence?
Let the lay prepare!
The honor, of teaching, burdens.
The bare soul squirms.
Wadded basket shots
Mute inscribed, stifled, stale thoughts.
I beg ideas.
Did I yawn the preached?
Rather, I blinked at the gift,
Staring at my need.
Now, the lecturn looms.
Will my chastened soul convey
The things so b’yond me?**
____________
* My brethren, let not many of you become
teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter
judgment (James 3:1 – NKJV)
** 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV)
