“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. (Acts 5:20,21 ESV)
Words of Life
I once had to explain to a group of Board Members that their business was failing. I once had to tell a teenager that the love of his life was breaking up with him. I once had to tell a kindly old farmer that I had totally wrecked his pristine automobile. I once had to tell a landlord that I was breaking our lease, early.
Those things made me nervous. Perhaps for good reason.
But Christ’s Apostles had to tell religious leaders that their beliefs were wrong. Christ’s Apostles had to tell political leaders that we have a higher King. Christ’s Apostles had to tell arrogant men and women that submission to Jesus was the only way to eternal life.
And they did it.
I do not know if they were nervous, but if they were, they did it anyway. I do not know if they were gifted speakers, persuaders, or scholars, but if they were not, they did it anyway. I do not know what their expectations were, but it does not matter. They spoke the Words of Life.
And we can, too.
No matter how much you lisp or stutter, you can point people to Jesus. No matter how insecure you are, or nervous, or afraid, you can point people to Jesus. No matter how much you expect pushback and hostility, you can point people to Jesus.
In fact, when we know how amazingly gracious, merciful, and loving our Jesus is, how can we not?
We are peculiar, we can speak the Words of Life.