Pondering...

I'm going to be "preaching" this Sunday morning at NMC. This is actually the first time I've given the message on a Sunday Morning. We honor the graduates, so the idea is to have the "Youth Guy" come and give the message.

I have to admit I'm extremely nervous. It's overwhelming. 3000 people on site, another 250 over at New Life Fellowship, and then 40,000 on the radio... freak me out.

My thinking over the past few weeks has been "This is a big deal." I've felt added pressure over the fact that there will be adults/ children/ parents/ adults/ grandparents/ doctors/ adults/ professors/ adults there. I've thought about how I need to step up my game.

In this thinking, I'm realizing that I have sinned.
I have been somehow thinking that what I'm doing this morning is somehow more important than the 200+ times I have "preached" on Wednesday Nights, at camps, at school clubs, etc.

I have been thinking that Sunday Morning is more important than the countless opportunities I have had to give advice, pass on wisdom, or listen to individuals who are seeking grow in their relationship with Christ.

I have been thinking that the 4 hours of "preaching" Sunday Morning is somehow more significant than the countless hours of preaching my life has been doing on the road, in the supermarket, on the softball field, in my home, on the internet, over the phone, when everybody's watching, when no one's looking.

Yes, Sunday morning is a "big deal."
But so is this life that God has given.
So is this call that he has placed on my life.
So is this mission that he has given every one of us who have said "YES" to the Gospel.
So are the virtual millions of opportunities that each of our lives have to "preach"every day.

Furthermore, maybe it's not something to get nervous or freaked out about. Maybe it's something to embrace with humility and joy.

May we be a people who truly take advantage of our opportunities to "preach."