So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.
Striving
by Jim Person
1 Corinthians 15:11, NLT
When Tanya and I were new to the mission field, we both taught at a discipleship training school. After Tanya finished her teaching, I tried to one-up her and ‘wow’ the students with my brilliant teaching ability. Needless to say, I flopped. It was really bad. Afterwards when we were alone, she asked me, “What are you doing?” I was humbled and embarrassed by my actions. Later when I was alone with God praying about it, He clearly told me “You’re not Tanya. Each of you has been given your own unique ability. Be yourself and I will bless you.”
Nearly twenty years later we’re both still teaching, and I rejoice in Tanya’s teachings. She is a great teacher, and I’m blessed to hear her. I have also found my own way and style, which is unique to me, and I’m blessed.
In today’s scripture, Paul is telling the Church that as long as the message is preached, it doesn’t matter who is speaking. It’s the message that brings God’s transformational love to people to apply in their lives which is the important thing. We don’t have to strive to be the better speaker, we just have to be ourselves.
I now have great peace in my life knowing I’m just a vessel that God uses in my own unique abilities, and one of them is to bring His message to the people I’m honoured to teach.
Trust God that He has deposited in you all that is needed for the task set before you. Honour Him with your all, and just be yourself.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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