Takes Me Back...

Tomorrow Jake is speaking in chapel. I am so excited to go hear him preach the Word of God. He is nervous. TOTALLY understandable! And as I was seeking to encourage him I couldn't help but wonder to myself, "will he speak clearly?", "will his transitions work so that it flows?", "will the students accept what he has to say?", "will they respect him?" I was taken back to my days sittings in chapel at SDCC. Feeling the safety of the anonimity that a crowd of students brings, I was more than happy to judge the speaker (and his walk w/ the Lord) based on the 20 minute sermonette he had just delivered. I neatly tucked away mental scores based on stage presence, humor, theology, Bible translation used and relate-ability. Yet, as I sought to calm Jake's nerves a passage from Isaiah came to mind.

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
   and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
   it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
   and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:10-11

Why did I not consider this in school? I was so full of my own self-righteousness that I forgot it is the Lord that works. HIS Word does not return empty with out accomplishing HIS purpose because it is HIM who has sent It. I love this passage. I pray that as I continue to grow in the Lord, He will grow my love for His people. Especially those He has called to teach His word. (It really is not easy task, and I truly appreciate those men who take up this post). I pray that my heart will be one of discernment rather than judgment so I may find joy in the expounding of His truth. I pray He will bring this about for my good and His glory.