Talking Comes Easy When Sharing What God Does

Troy Conrad
Troy Conrad

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Proverbs 10:19

I've come to realize that preachers talk too much. Honestly, we do. It's not particularly our fault, we're trained to do that. Trust me, it's not easy coming up with a 30-minute presentation each week. Some of the things I try to tell young people who are interested in the ministry is to practice typing; learn to do research; and learn from radio announcers because you can never have long pauses while delivering a sermon.

But the main reason why we like to talk so much is that we are constantly learning something new about our faith. You'd think preachers should know it all, but trust me we don't. And when we make a new connection in a Biblical story or have a new epiphany about theology or witness how God is changing someone's life in an inspiring way we want to talk about it.

We're bursting at the seams to share how God is alive and working within us!

It's not because we have a direct line to God. Or because we're particularly intelligent about theology. It's never because we are without sin. Or that we're chosen to receive special knowledge.

It's simply because we read the Bible.

I know, I know. You're thinking another one of those read-the-Bible sermons is coming on. (Well you're right. But it's much more than that.)

The Bible isn't a book that's made to sit down and in one or two readings be finished with it. When I've asked people about their Bible reading habits before, that's the answer I sometimes get.

"I read it when I was in high school," someone might say.

"Or I did a study one time in which I read the Bible in 36 days," another might add.

Never mind that was 30 years ago. In their minds they read the Bible. Task finished. Chore done. Now they can get on to other things.

It isn't a book that's designed to only be read once a week either.

"Well you read part of it each Sunday," someone might say.

"I trust you to read the bits that are really important each week," another might admit.

Hearing only the selections that someone else has picked out is never a good idea.

One of the things I do quite often when I go to a restaurant is when the waitress asks for my order I'll say, "Bring me what you would eat here." Sometimes it's really good. And sometimes it's really bad. But the point is that people's tastes are different and what the waitress might like I might not.

The same with scripture. Sometimes the Sunday scripture may speak to you on a personal level. Sometimes not.

The Bible is the living breathing word of God for each of us. Whatever you are going through in life, the answers can be find in scripture. If you need love, check out I Corinthians 13. If you need encouragement check out Ephesians 3. If you need inspiration read 3rd John. Or salvation then check out Luke 24.

Where ever you find yourself today, take a few minutes to crack open the Bible. If you're not sure what to read, use one of the suggestions. I promise you, it will change your life. And maybe even give you something to talk about.

Let us pray.

Our gracious God. Too often we forget that your Word is meant to be a part of our daily lives. Each day we can find inspiration to lead good, fruitful lives if we can only learn to study the Bible. Today we ask that you will inspire us in our hearts and minds through the reading of your word. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

Religion on 05/20/2015