It is certainly one of mine. But inevitably, in my work (as with many of you, I’m sure), I do a lot of talking. Looking back through my google calendar over recent weeks, I find things like this:
teaching a module on preaching in Bangalore (India)
contributing to leadership meetings in London (UK)
facilitating a meeting in Amman (Jordan)
promoting the ministry in which I am involved in Phoenix AZ (USA)
encouraging people in A and Z (China)
speaking at a memorial for my special friend in Auckland (New Zealand)
discussing work among first nations peoples in Niagara Falls (Canada)
(later this week) preaching at a seminary in Wilmore KY (USA)
I wonder what your list looks like? That is a lot of variations on the talking theme.
But diverse though these settings may be, they all have one thing in common.
For each of them, I pray the same prayer.
The words of a hymn.
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone …
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
What is it that draws me back to this hymn, again and again?
I like the way it originates with God
We are a channel. We live with God and spend time listening to Him.
What we pass onto others is what God has passed onto us.
I like the way it prioritises words
So much of the church has lost confidence in word and words.
There is a bias against words which God simply does not share.
I love the image of flight
The words originate with Him and He is the one who needs to fly them as well.
I can do my talking, but then He must do His winging.
It means less manipulation and spinning – and more faithfulness.
I like the realism about the human heart
There are hidden depths, marked by secrecy, sadness, stubbornness and sin.
These things are not softened by human skill, but only by the Spirit.
Sadly, unlike other posts in this series, I could not find a you-tube version that I liked. Maybe there is a reader who can help me out here. One or two were OK, but then they excluded the verse I wanted. [This is the best I could do: https://vimeo.com/46203440].
NB: If you click on the ‘worship’ label – scroll down on the right side of this page – you will find quickly the other posts in this series.
nice chatting
Paul
About Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
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