I have spent a little more time than usual at the computer today. I accepted an invitation to preach this upcoming Sunday and the sermon which has been stirring in my head needs to find a place on some white paper. It has been a long day. If it was one of those days from long ago, I would have a trash basket full of wadded up paper pulled from the old manual Royal typewriter. What I am saying is that the process of taking the mulled over stuff in my head to the pulpit has become a slower process than I anticipated. To be honest, I am a bit surprised. I have been praying, thinking, and writing the sermon in my head for some time. The problem today has been getting it on the screen in front of me.
Perhaps, the difficulty speaks of the rust which has accumulated since I preached my last sermon on Christmas Eve. It may also be that I have some hesitation about preaching what I am feeling impressed upon me to preach. While I know it is where I am going to end up, sometimes the journey to surrendering to the leading of the Spirit is not a straight and easy road. I also know my energy level is still not up to where I hope it will soon be, but I keep reminding myself of that verse which speaks of "God's power being made perfect in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9).
Regardless of all these things, it is as is often said, "Sunday is coming!" It is a word which is always before every preacher who is preaching every week and it remains true for those of us who preach with less frequency. Sermons often come with a struggle. Even though I preached for over 40 years, every sermon brings its own challenges. I hate old sermons. They are boring to preach and smell like three day old fish. One thing is certain. I look forward to the opportunity to once again stand in the pulpit to preach the Word God has given me for the people of God in the place He has provided.
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