I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength because he considered me faithful. So he appointed me to ministry even though I used to speak against him… — 1 Timothy 1:12-13a
For some reason, I’ll occasionally see a clip from a televangelist shouting and gesturing. There’s no doubting that he feels himself chosen by God to spread the good word. Experience teaches me, though, that sometimes the louder someone speaks, the more insecure they may be. It’s like the note the preacher scribbled in the margin of his sermon manuscript: “Argument weak here. Pound pulpit.”
If anyone had a right to sound authoritative by increasing the volume, it was Paul. And, to be fair, he occasionally grew bombastic (see 2 Corinthians 11:16-33). But overall, he began his letters like he did to Timothy: “I thank Christ Jesus…” He thanked Jesus for seeing the good in him even when he “used to speak against him.” That’s the grace that overwhelmed Paul. I have to believe that when things got difficult for the apostle, he would stop and remember that it was Jesus’ grace that started it all. That moved him from being stressed to being grateful. He didn’t feel like shouting. He felt like thanking. That not only calmed him. It also strengthened his witness to the power and promise of the gospel. No shouting or gesturing was needed.
When things seem overwhelming, imitating Paul is a good idea. Recalling the many reasons we should be grateful gets us back on track. And, if Jesus believes the best in us even when we’ve messed up, that’s a good place to start.
Maybe preachers just so filled w Holy Spirit they feel compelled to shout. Not always a bad thing but it’s not for me. Have a good week.