Spark2Flame

I was reading the Bible this morning and because I’m fairly odd, I was reading it in a British accent. Please don’t ask me why, I have no idea why my brain works the way it does.

I suddenly started thinking, What if I went in one Sunday morning and preached an entire message in a British accent? It didn’t take me long to come to the conclusion that this would be silly and most assuredly a distraction, especially if I just launched into it without any explanation.

People would probably think it was funny at first, then move to thinking how odd I was, then probably begin to be uncomfortable because they know me (I’m not British) and I’m not letting up on it.

I think the same applies with our relationships, walk with God, church, and everything else. Anything that’s not genuine and not backed up with truth comes off as a distraction, annoyance, or even makes people uncomfortable. The truth may make people uncomfortable as well, but that's a different story (and it's hard to shake that kind of uncomfortable). If I make you uncomfortable because I'm fake, you can write me off easily.

I love listening to people from England. When they preach the word, it sounds regal, commanding, and authoritative in my view. If I simply try to mimic that sound to gain an effect, I’m not doing anyone any good.

You can be yourself and help direct people to God if you’re willing to be genuine and vulnerable. When we try to help the hurting by throwing out clichés and Bible verses we don’t believe or haven’t experienced for ourselves in our own lives, we add to the hurt and may even cause confusion and further aid the enemy's plan.

If you don’t have an answer, say nothing. If all you can do is weep with someone, weep with them.