Disarming?

Saturday marked an historic day in the life of our church.

After nearly two years of vision casting, prayer and hours upon hours of hard work, we have become a "weekend church".

Yes, from here on out, there will be two full services, bible studies, ect. that will meet every Saturday evening, followed by three additional services on Sunday morning.

Over 1300 individuals attended this past Saturday. It was an amazing kick off!

I had been asked to speak to a group of young couples who desire to learn and to implement the spiritual disciplines into their lives. I had expected 20 or so individuals and was blown away when I saw well over 100.

I rarely speak in front of groups. In recent years, I think this was the second time I've addressed a group with more than 10 people. I'm not a very good public speaker, but something happens when I am asked to speak from my own experiences about all the ways I endeavor to connect with God. Somehow, I'm able to reach people, to connect with them, and to challenge their thinking.

Wait a minute! I think I have that all wrong. It's not me, it's God.

Somehow, God uses me....imperfect, unattractive, slow to think on her feet, Jerri.

Several mucky mucks from the church stopped by to listen to my "talk".

I noticed immediately that I was being observed. As various pastors drifted in and out, I was less disconcerted by their presence than I was by their feedback on Sunday.

"Jerri," one pastor said, "you are one of the most disarming speakers I've heard in a long time."

Disarming? Now that's an interesting way to describe me. I'm not quite sure what to make of that assessment.

My husband says that people in the church aren't accustomed to someone who speaks honestly and plainly about their spiritual journey. He says this is what draws the audience to me.

If you would have asked me one year ago, whether I would be speaking in front of 100 people in my church about my spiritual life and spiritual development I would have laughed.

If you had suggested that I might one day be in a unique position to help people understand all of the wonderful ways God has equipped each of us to hold His hand and to enjoy relationship with Him, the creator of our universe...well, I would have really laughed!

And yet, this is exactly how God is using me!

Never doubt for a moment that God uses the most imperfect, and the most unlikely of people for the most amazing tasks.

After all, just look how He has used me!