A great Christ
Over the years, I’ve done a lot of things outside my comfort zone. I’ve experienced several different reactions, including hiding in the ladies’ room and praying. I’ve been afraid, nervous and intimidated. Sometimes I wanted to pull a Jonah and get as far away as I could; other times I’ve sounded like Moses, coming up with excuses and all the reasons I couldn’t do whatever was asked of me. I never did run away and discovered nothing was as scary as I had believed.
Two emotions that surfaced in those situations are a bit harder to admit. One was wanting to pat myself on the back after doing what I considered a really good job. The other was feeling totally inadequate and wanting to give up. Both of those responses to difficult challenges still come up at times.
During my most recent go round with the latter, I discovered a quotation from the book Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson that is the answer to any and all such adventures in human nature. At the end of the book, Robinson said: “Yet in the final analysis there are no great preachers. There’s only a great Christ who does startling things when we place ourselves and our preaching in his hands.”
Even though the context of these words is preaching, they can be applied to all of life. Any triumph or seemingly insurmountable challenge we will ever face can be ameliorated by reminding ourselves there is a great Christ who will not only do startling things but will give us the grace and help we need. He is there in our successes and our failures, ups and downs, laughter and tears.
If you’re like me and sometimes experience the desire to bask in self-praise or the urge to find a big fish, let’s remind ourselves there is a great Christ, the source of our success and our strength when we are weak
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 21 September 2022, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
About the writer:
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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