A Sermon on Sermonizing

I had a kind of epiphany last week.

I was musing about why it is that we sometimes feel the need to step in and “take over” for someone else who has been given responsibilities and duties that we think are important. What makes us think that we can do better than the other individual? Why can’t we trust them to do the job they’ve been given?

It occurred to me that by not trusting others to do their job, we aren’t trusting God, either.

If I think that I, as an individual, need to push someone else out of the way and do his job, then I am limiting God, the power of Good; personalizing the concept of competence; and taking on a false sense of responsibility.  If I think the world is dependent on me to keep it going, then it’s possible that – just maybe – I have a kind of an inflated sense of my own place in it. 🙂

There was a day last week when I got this close l—l to sermonizing on someone. It was obvious to me that this other person needed the enlightenment of my great wisdom. But as I drew breath to launch into my pontification, a voice said, “Wait. Trust. Respect.”  And in that moment I realized all at once that we ALL have access to Truth and Love – that no one is somehow shut off from it – and that no one else needs me “to set him straight.”

And how freeing that was for me!

Okay, I have to include this little clip from My Fair Lady. I just hafta…  🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mC4485Ue0

“No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you… What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.  Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.” – Job 12 and Job 13

10 thoughts on “A Sermon on Sermonizing

  1. Pingback: A Sermon on Sermonizing « David J Dickinson

  2. Thank you so much for your thought on this! Very helpful to me at this point. And I love the video link!! LOL! One of my favorite musicals!

    I got a copy of your book a few years back from your mother when I was soloist at the Bremerton church. I have to pull it out and read it again! Thank You!

    • Hi, David! Just now saw your comment! So glad you enjoyed this post! Isn’t My Fair Lady great? 🙂 So fun that you and Moz know each other! I see that you also know Mell and Patricia B… I love these connections…

      • Yes! Actually I know Mell through my sister and did a performance at her house for her dinner party. But even more amazing is we discovered Mell and her sister were friends with my dad and uncle back in the 40’s and early 50’s. Dad and Mell just met again 5 years ago after all these years of losing contact. Pretty awesome! 🙂

  3. Loved this! Not only does it serve as a reminder to let go of personal sense, but a great way to support others. Printed it out and put it on my desk. Thanks so much for writing it.

  4. Ah Friend! Your last three posts are as usual awesome and RIGHT ON!! And this is the second time, no third, I’ve been directed to some scene or song in My Fair Lady this week!! And such a reminder in our journey, to have hope and humor!!

  5. Love your post. I have often thought while reading the experiences of others that they have an obvious connection with God and feeling His tender and loving shepherding. “They will all know me from the least to the greatest.”

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