In the heat of the moment

I am sure I used to be calmer under pressure. When put on the spot, I could usually manage to string together a few words that kind of made sense. But these days, I sometimes find such scenarios a little more challenging. If I am not careful, my brain can seize up and I can lose the thread of what I truly wanted to say.

Take being interviewed on radio, for instance, when I do not know what the next question will be – something I have experienced three times in recent weeks in connection with my latest book, Swansong. Thankfully, such interviews are often pre-recorded, which reassures me a little and also gives the presenter leeway to cut out anything later. Yet, I found it quite a challenge each time as I sat at my desk, talking with a gentleman I had never met via video or phone and hoping my responses to his questions made sense.

When Jesus himself spoke anywhere while on earth, especially when challenged in the heat of the moment, he did not hesitate. Whatever the risk, he spoke out with such clarity and authority – the authority given to him by his heavenly Father. On one occasion, Jesus explained this again to his disciples when seeking to comfort and reassure them who he was and where he was going:

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:10

Earlier on in his ministry too, when sending his twelve disciples out, Jesus gave them authority to heal and drive out demons but also warned them in no uncertain terms what would happen when challenged:

But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19–20

Now I am definitely not Jesus. And, as far as I know, I am not about to be arrested for anything I might say during a radio interview about my latest book! Yet, in those moments when I too may grope for words to express what is in my heart, I am so grateful that, if I focus on God, even for a brief moment, I am reassured I am not alone. God’s Spirit is indeed with me and in me at all times and will help me find the right words to say that will make sense and impact others in a positive way. Instead of giving in to fear then, I can take a deep breath, centre myself in God again, relax – and enjoy the wonderful opportunity I have been given to put my words out there and trust that God will use them in some way to bless others.

As God’s people, all of us, whoever we are, can find ourselves in those ‘heat of the moment’ situations at unexpected times, with opportunity to share about our faith in God. May we take a deep breath, listen well to the Spirit, then step out and speak with confidence and joy!

NB To find two of Jo-Anne’s radio interviews about her book Swansong, please click here.

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Letting down the nets

How do you honestly feel as you face the new year ahead? Right now, for some at least, everything is swinging into top gear again as school begins and as church programs get under way. For others, perhaps it is more of the ‘same old same old’, with nothing much changing. For some, this may be a time full of anticipation and excitement at the thought of new experiences and fresh challenges waiting to be conquered. For others, the year ahead may seem far too daunting – or, alternately, perhaps too dreary a prospect to contemplate for long.

This year began with a bang for me, with the release of my third non-fiction book, Swansong (click here for more details). But, after the initial excitement of launching a book, hard work of a different kind begins – not writing and editing this time but speaking at various places and promoting my book in whatever way I can. I knew this would be the case – this is my tenth book, after all – and I am happy to tackle most aspects at least of the whole marketing side of things. I enjoy meeting people as I promote my books at Koorong, for example, and I particularly love speaking at all sorts of places – community clubs of various kinds, church groups, whatever. Yet, even when one likes doing something, there are still hours of preparation involved, not to mention hours of emailing and talking to people, in order to set up speaking engagements or organise some other event.

On days when I am a little more tired than usual, this can all seem like a very high mountain to climb – so perhaps that is why I resonated with some words Simon said on one occasion, in response to a request Jesus put to him, when I came across them one morning. In Luke 5, we read how Jesus boards Simon’s fishing boat and asks him to push out from the shore a little, in order for him to be able to teach the crowds better who have gathered around Lake Galilee to hear him. The story continues:

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’

Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ Luke 5:4–5

Immediately, Simon’s last few words caused me to sit up straight and listen carefully to what God wanted me to learn. Simon must have felt so weary already and discouraged as well – to the point where he is unafraid to tell Jesus how hard he has worked already, for no result. Yet he does not refuse to do what Jesus tells him to do. Even at this early stage, before Simon leaves everything and follows Jesus (5:7), he bows to Jesus’ authority and does exactly what Jesus says.

There is so much hidden in those few little words ‘because you say so’, isn’t there? Respect. Honour. Trust. Obedience. Humility. Hope. May all these characterise our own attitudes to Jesus in the coming year. May we too willingly ‘let down our nets’ again, whatever shape or form they may take and however Jesus tells us to, as we trust him for the outcome.

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Perfect timing

I wonder if you have ever read something, then read it again somewhere else immediately after and said to yourself as I did recently, ‘Wait a minute! Didn’t I just read that same thing somewhere else?’ It can be confusing, can’t it? Some may say such moments are purely coincidental, yet, in this particular instance I experienced, I am sure something much deeper than coincidence was involved.

I had reached Chapter 8 in Matthew’s gospel and, as I glanced quickly through it, I saw it contained accounts of various miracles Jesus performed. One by one, the amazing nature of these events and also Jesus’ words to those he healed soon began to challenge me.

The first miracle recorded there is the healing of a man with leprosy who kneels before Jesus and comes straight to the point: ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean’ (2b). Wow – would I have had the faith to approach Jesus like that? How firmly do I believe Jesus can rescue those around me in difficult situations right now?

Then I came to the account of how Jesus heals the centurion’s servant even at a distance. What faith this centurion shows in Jesus and what understanding of Jesus’ authority when he declares: ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed’ (8). Does my faith in Jesus honour him in the same way today?

A little further on, I discovered the disciples out of their minds with fear at the fierce storm raging around their boat (23–26). When they cry out to Jesus to save them, Jesus calms the wind and waves but also asks: ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Today, would Jesus have good reason to ask me the same question?

Finally, I read the account of the healing of two demon-possessed men (28–34). The demons present immediately recognise Jesus as the Son of God and are well aware of Jesus’ power and authority to drive them out into the nearby herd of pigs. Do I truly have that same high regard for Jesus?

After wrestling with my questions, I wrote in my journal: ‘Jesus, you showed your complete power and authority in all these instances. Why do I still doubt that you can do miracles today?’

I then returned to rewriting some of my past blogs for a possible future manuscript. As I found where I was up to, I was shocked to discover there something I wrote eight or nine years ago after reading the exact same chapter in Matthew’s gospel. On that occasion, I had written how I sensed Jesus saying to me: ‘If I could do those miraculous things back then, why would you doubt I can make a difference in your life today?’

Quite possibly, like Jesus’ disciples, I am slow to learn such things. But could Jesus have perhaps wanted to remind me of this past lesson in a unique way at just the right time and reassure me he is well able to help those I am currently concerned about?

I think so, don’t you?

‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’ (Matthew 7:7).

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