Thought for the day – Tuesday 2 June

Thought for the day - Tuesday 2 June
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June 02, 2020
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Dear All

There are many things that people dread and one of them is standing up and having to speak in front of others. It can be so much harder, especially if friends and family are present, they can easily ‘put you off’ and often do, just by being there. You can see good examples of this ‘fear’ at weddings or other occasions when someone is appointed to ‘say a few words’, and they want to ‘get it over with’ as soon as possible Even a few words can seem like ages to deliver.

Public speaking is really quite daunting and some folk really do become very anxious and nervous. There are many books on the subject with tips and tales on how to address people in all kinds of settings. For example how to address people in small gatherings, to huge crowds at political rallies and the like. There are many do’s and don’ts to be learnt and each occasion has to be well considered for effect.
I guess many of you will recall your own experiences either giving a speech or listening to one and know just how it feels. Some folk are very good at it and for them, it can be quite an enjoyable experience. Others though, are not very good at it at all and for them, it can be a ‘nightmare.’ No one, however, will justifiably criticise a nervous soul doing their best, we all feel for them and rightfully applaud their efforts.
There’s another category ie, those who think they are capable speakers just because they feel confident in themselves but are in fact pretty poor. They are the ones that make me cringe. I’ve seen and heard many examples. I believe every public oration, presentation or reading of any kind anywhere should be rehearsed. There are ‘off the cuff’ remarks and speeches too of course.
The overconfident types, the ‘anything you can do I can do better’ type, actually, can’t do better at all. Such ‘speakers’ think they can bluff their way through any situation in their ‘usually unprepared state’ but they seldom, if ever do so. Thinking you are an ‘expert’ doesn’t make you an ‘expert’ and being overconfident is much worse than the lack of confidence. Simple, plain, preparedness will do.
There are many types of public speaking and we hear and see numerous examples every day. You only need to switch on the ‘box’ and there in front of you will be someone talking or ranting in some cases. Our news presenters are all very good indeed and they are necessarily required to stick to a script.
Comedians and entertainers also have a ‘script’ except they call it an ‘act’ or a ‘routine’. Funny people take their comedy and hilarity very seriously indeed, they practise being funny and just like all public ‘performances’, ‘the more you do it the better you become at it’.
Moses recognised he was no public speaker. He wasn’t confident and he was really nervous about going to speak with Pharaoh. Even though it was God who was sending him he just couldn’t do it. He needed someone to help him and God gave him Aaron as his advocate.
Moses, you will remember, listened to the advice from his father in law Jethro who told him that he needed help in his daily dealings with the people in settling their complaints and cases. Moses listened and learned and so was able to do his administrations more effectively.
Like many leaders and messengers, Moses was a bit reluctant because he felt and knew his own weaknesses. He wasn’t proud or arrogant, he knew his own limitations and was humble enough to admit as much. Many of the greatest men and women through the centuries have been those who never thought of being great or famous at all. Shakespeare’s words come to mind, ”Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them’.
God didn’t call Moses because of his great oratorical ability but in spite of his apparent lack of it. Like Moses, we might not feel worthy, capable, qualified or whatever but God can call us and use us in so many and unexpected ways.
A humble and a contrite heart the Lord will not despise. If God should call us to do something he will provide the means for us to do it.
Today I ask you to think/meditate on these things.
God bless you!
Jim
JBoag@churchofscotland.org.uk

EXODUS 6: 10-12 – Exodus 7: 1-7

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”

But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet. You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

 

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