I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13
As a new leader in ministry outside the local church, I was challenged, stretched, and often terrified. When a group of Pentecostal leaders from around the United States invited me to speak to them, I was both honored and nervous. To ease my jitters, I went in the night before I was due to speak, just to get to know the people and to worship with them. To understand the humor here, I come from a mainline Presbyterian background and had not yet been exposed to other styles of worship.
The music was wonderful. As the evening progressed, I was beginning to understand that this was a very different worship experience from any I had ever had. I was overwhelmed! I could not even focus on my own prayers because of the energy and the noise of this large group gathered in prayer. I fled to my room, and the first thing I did was to send my ministry team an e-mail asking for direction and prayer. I must admit, I also had a very frank and serious dialog with God about his putting me in this situation. I asked how a Presbyterian woman could have anything to say that would be heard in this very different culture. I reminded him that he had placed me there and I needed him—right now!
The next morning, after precious little sleep, as I walked into the auditorium and was received by this loving group of people, I simply prayed, “God, be in my mouth.” I have never experienced such a calm as I did walking up those stairs, for I had come to trust that God would never leave me alone in speaking his message.
What happened next was quite amazing. The interactive nature of the group, while new to me, was both affirming and supportive. The words flowed, and I delivered the message. The response was extraordinary and flattering—but also a little confusing. Weeks later I received an audiotape of my message. I listened in stunned silence. I could not believe I was the one speaking! God answered my prayers and indeed, through the Holy Spirit, his words were in my mouth.
—Sue Mallory
Reflection
When have I felt the undeniable presence of God in my life?
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for showing up, for always being there, Help me to continue to grow in the confidence that you are always there, in good times and in bad, and that it is in you that I find my courage and strength.
‘Act us though it were impossible to fail.’
—Winston Churchill (1 874- 965), British statesman
Leadership DevotionsCopyright Tyndale House Publishers.Used by permission.