Dearest e-votees-
Certainly part of our call as followers of Jesus is to let our lights show so others might get a glimpse of God (see Matthew 5:16).
Sometimes that showing comes in the form of giving a verbal showing or testimony.
While true many fear public speaking even more than death (or as Seinfeld put it they would rather be in the box at a funeral than giving the eulogy) God meets us in our fearful places. God promises to speak through us and that we need not fret about what we might say. God's promises are true and secure. Will we lean into them?
Peace,
Karl
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5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
It is interesting that the NRSV in verse 14 says "So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance;" and the NIV says "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves." which seem different. The Greek actually has a sense of do not premeditate your defense. In other words, don't spend too much time thinking and planning about how you will offer defense--for yourself? for your beliefs? for being associated with Jesus' name?--but rather trust that Jesus will give the words when needed as needed.
When I am preparing sermons I wrestle with the balance between preparing thoroughly and well (full premeditation) as contrasted with trusting in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to give words as needed. It is not the same as going before kings and governors, before synagogues and prisons, but there are some parallels in my mind.
What I have found, however, in my own life is that Jesus is faithful to this promise. When I am called to give testimony (to people, from the pulpit, by the deathbed, in the heat of the moment, when it comes time to post another e-vo) is that God gives me words. Wisdom that seems beyond my own comes to bear from time to time. I can't explain it but I can certainly claim it to be so. For that I am so grateful to God.
God, help us lean hard into your promises--you are faithful. Amen.
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