So...I meant to put this up a while ago, but about a little over two weeks ago I was told that I would be leading Core, actually teaching a lesson. The topic: Time Management and Priorities, a topic I had mentioned wanting to discuss in core. Although when I suggested it I didn't think I would be teaching the lesson. The whole idea of teaching and sharing my "wisdom" does not thrill me at all. Mostly because anytime I have shared my thoughts in a group it has felt like wasted breath. It feels like no one ever listens, of course it often feels like this just about anytime I talk.
Reluctantly I prepared for core. I pulled together some versus I found helpful and though of questions to put forth to the group. I even had tips for managing time. I am certainly no expert at managing my time, but I do seem to have the opposite problem of most people. I think that I have too much time and that I don’t fill it all too wisely.
Anyway, I started off the lesson a little shaky. I always get nervous before speaking to a group. As the lesson pick up so did the discussion. The girls really appeared to be into the discussion. When it was over, several girls thanked me for the lesson and told me I did a good job. The praise bothered me a little. “What did I do,” I asked myself. “Nothing,” I answered my own question. I only did what I was told to do. I think it scared me or perhaps just startled me that people actually listened to what I had to say and even possibly took it to heart. Still, I don’t take credit for it. If anyone was moved or changed by anything I said, it was the Holy Spirit that did it, not me. I did nothing except what I was told to do.
What I learned from teaching, though, is that the Holy Spirit is with me, guiding me, and opening people’s ears to the lessons that God would have us learn.
5 comments:
Awesome! You are so right. What we have to offer is so little compared to what God can do. You said you did nothing, which is only partly true. You can't move people's hearts, only God can do that, but what you can do is be there for God to work through and I think that's what you experienced. You were obedient and faithful to your core and did something a little scary for the rest of the group and God used it. I think our corefas are a good source from which to feel God's guidance so in following their request for you to lead the discussion, you were actually following God's request. Keep it up! Oh, and despite what you think, many of us care very much what you have to say.
You definitely aren't ignored when you speak and you are an important voice in this community. And some of the best leadership happens when we humbly sit back and just allow the group to learn on its own. That's why our leader team titles are "facilitator". Thanks for putting so much in!
I agree with Blake. You did do something. You did something that most "Christians" claim to do, but refuse to actually do. You were obedient. When we are obedient God uses us to do miraculous things. The miracle might not always be in what we say (and often it's not), but rather it's in the hearts of our audiences.
When I was in Core my Freshman and Sophomore year, I was quite quiet...and that is something Brandon and a few others would challenge me in, that I have a lot of wisdom and needed to speak more. It is hard for me to imagine having wisdom because I don't see it in myself sometimes. However, looking back from where I am now, I can definitely see that God has been working in my life and has taught me many things. That's wonderful, but it is also important for me to share my “wisdom,” things I’ve been learning, what God has been teaching me, to other people. This reminds me of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, a passage that for the longest time I kind of ignored thinking it wasn't quite for me. Sharing with others about God in our life is one way to help mature and grow the body. However, it always frustrates me that I can't make that change in people's lives. I have started to realize that recently and been trying to rely on God to just work through me and not me try to make things happen. Just being there "right now" and assuming/knowing God is working in the peoples’ lives I take part in. That makes things much less stressful, knowing that I don't have to change people, yet also frustrating because I think I should be able to change people. I'm sure God feels some of that, looking at us and thinking, "Why don't they just choose me. It's obvious I love them and have the right way."
But yeah, I do listen to you! (Well, most of the time, I guess you've caught me a time or two when I've not been.) ;-)
Thanks for sharing that!
Been too long since you posted! Speak up!
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