I hate the idea of public speaking. I have never liked it.
Ever!
However, when I returned from Ghana in 2015, I felt the call
to speak. I tried to deny it, but God wouldn’t let me get away with that. So I
gave in and finally said yes, but what shall I speak about?
Well God had an answer for that. He very clearly told me
what to speak about. I knew that topic would be perfect for an evening
testimony. So I agreed and told Sue that I would speak.
Fast forward to Tuesday evening…. I’m already nervous before
getting into the van to drive to the village. I plug in my headphones and begin
to calm myself down and prepare for the talk. It was an hour drive and I had a
playlist created to get me in the spirit. When we arrived and got out of the
van, the panic set in and I could no longer pretend I was OK. I sat down and
allowed my team mates to surround me with prayer while listening to my favorite
song that helps me feel that God is with me. After the prayers and some deep
breathing I was OK.
As the evening progressed, I went back over my speech with a
blue marker, editing here and there. Then… Joseph called on “the preacher.” So
up I went. It was a hot night and as nervous as I get, I was worried about
passing out.
God provided a gentle cool breeze as I took my place. I knew
He was there with me. I looked out into the crowd and took the microphone.
The speech came naturally. All the nervousness was gone and
there were no tears coming. So I stood with Isaac and gave my testimony that
God had told me to talk about. I scanned the audience every once in a while,
looking at all the people that were there.
About 40 minutes later, with some closed eyes, I finally
finished my testimony. I wasn’t doing it for a standing ovation, the pat on the
back, or the “good job”. I was looking to do what I was told to do by God
himself.
As Isaac called the people forward, it was humbling to see
that there were a lot of people who appeared to relate to my topic. The women
came forward and raised their hands to accept or renew their lives for Christ. My
jaw dropped at this! I mean, I’ve seen this happen over the years, but to see a
response like this from a topic that I spoke about (thanks to God for telling
me), is just amazing.
When it was all said and done, I felt at east. I didn’t pass
out, I didn’t stumble over my words, and I didn’t cry. I spoke to a crowd
without all the nervousness that I had felt only minutes prior.
If you take anything away from reading this, just be still
and listen, then obey. He will provide you with the words that you need to
speak. He will give you comfort when the time is right.
If I was asked to do it again….. Perhaps the same topic,
perhaps a new one if He laid it on me to do so. - Cathy
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