A note to all of you men that are experienced in leading worship. There are people in awe of you. They have no idea how you can be asked with only a moment’s notice to lead a prayer or some other part of worship. All they know is that if they were asked, they would melt into a bubbling puddle of fear. They think that you must have a special talent from God. A talent they know they don’t have.

I’ve been both people. I’ve been the terrified, tongue-tied, shaky-legged, vapor-locked young man trying to just put some words together in a prayer that made some kind of sense.  Now I’m very comfortable with a short notice assignment without breaking into a sweat.  I can safely say no one has ever presented me with a trophy, but I think I can do a passable job. 

It was never a miraculous gift. It was a lot of on-the-job training, encouragement, and embarrassing moments.  Ask me about the time I vomited right up the center isle to punctuate my “amen” after offering thanks and asking a blessing for the cup one unforgettable Lord’s Day morning.  It was hilarious to me after five or six years of stewing in the humiliation.

Think of all the ways we can serve publicly.  Leading prayer, leading the song service, presiding over our communion, teaching classes for adults and kids may all seem extremely daunting because there are so many ways to embarrass ourselves.  But you want to know a secret about not embarrassing yourself?  Here it is…

You can’t stop it.  It’s going to happen.  You will blank out on what you wanted to say.  Your voice will crack.  You will miss that note.  You will sing/say the wrong words.  You will forget how to speak.  There will be awkward silences.

Do you want to know the other secret?  Here it is…

No one expects you to be perfect. Not a single one of your brothers or sisters will hold it against you that you didn’t exit the womb as an experienced professional.  They will be grateful you are willing to work.  They will help you with any misunderstanding.  They will offer helpful suggestions. They will be patient. 

There’s one other secret.

You will get better at it.  You won’t always be tongue-tied.  You won’t always shake uncontrollably.  You won’t always be so self-conscious.

Think of how this applies not only to our public work, but also to our private work.  Don’t let our lack of experience or our own insecurities get in our way of working.  There is much to do.  And if you need any other encouragement, remember something else.  The apostles were amateurs too.  They had less education than any of us and were very successful with the help of the Holy Spirit.  The very same Holy Spirit that lives in us today.  Take courage. Step up!  Just like them, you will be an encouragement to the next guy.