I spoke my first words at about 4. My mom swears that is true. Honestly, I’m hoping it was at least 2 and half or so.
But the first time I spoke publicly was when I was 17.
My youth leader offered me the opportunity to teach. I had little church background and had never spoken in front of anyone. The big day came and I stood in front of the youth group.
Knees knocking.
Heart hammering.
It was awful. I’m not just saying that.
It was really, really bad.
My topic was the book of Revelation.
The entire book.
At some point all eyes in the room had glazed over and I ended my teaching. As I passed my youth pastor, he said, “Umm, thank you, Suzie.” I can only imagine the conversation he had with his wife on the way home that night.
“Hey, next time I am tempted to ask a student to speak, remind me of this night.”
So, years later when I sensed the call to speak, you can only imagine my response.
It was a crossroads. I had options. I could say no and keep on going, or to offer up lots of valid excuses and talk my way out of it.
Um, God, did you notice that this is me?
Are you sure you weren’t thinking about someone else — anyone else?
Or I could say yes, even if it didn’t fully make sense in the natural.
When we say yes and it doesn’t make sense in the natural, this is what we are really saying:
God, you know me. You are aware of my fears and doubts. But you must know something I don’t yet.
This was one of my “but if you say so” moments, but we all face them.
You want to give up, but He says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).”
But if you say so.
You want to give in, but He says, “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it (1 Cor. 10:13 The Message).”
But if you say so.
You feel stuck, but He says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7 NIV).”
But if you say so.
You want to let God know that you’re not the right girl for the job, but He says, “. . .may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen (Hebrews 13:21 NLT).“
But if you say so.
This isn’t a reserved, hang-dog response; no way!
Instead, you are offering a hope-filled yes! to launch a discovery. When God is asking you to trust when it doesn’t make sense, there’s always something deeper ahead.
Growth.
Preparation.
Truth.
Transformation.
Perhaps even a miracle for which you don’t have words.
Today I love speaking and communicating the Gospel. I had no way of knowing that when God first began to lead me in this direction, but He knew. He was trying to give me a desire of my heart — one that I couldn’t even imagine at that time.
Suzie
Read Luke 5:1-11 again. Note anything you might have missed in your first reading. Underline it. Journal about it. Share it here.
Q: Describe a “but if you say so” moment that took place this week. Perhaps even today as you read this lesson.
Q: I could have said no to speaking. What might I have missed if I had? What might you miss if you say no?
Q: How is failure a part of our growth process?
Write down the scripture that spoke to you today and place it where you’ll see it several times a day. Speak it out loud each time. Memorize it.
Dear Suzie,
A couple of months ago I left my abusive marriage and got a divorce. Talk about having failure presented as part of the growth process! I am now living in my own home. A tattered, dated, every square inch needs paint and some lovin’ house. That I am not criticized in. That I am not scared of anyone in. That I don’t have to hide in. I do not know how I am going to afford this place, but I know God knows something I don’t. So I am trusting. I am saying Yes. I am waking up each day, looking around with gratitude at this silly little house and waiting and listening. For God to direct me in my next steps.
I have written to you before but I think it’s important that you hear again how many times your words have shored me up during the grueling process I just went through. Thank you.
Suzie, do you want us to read Luke 4:1-11 or read Luke 5:1-11 again?
Thanks for catching that typo. I fixed it!
Dear Suzie, it is a beautiful sunshine day here in Indianapolis, I nd today. The Lord has been speaking to be to speak at a ladies day out. I said yes I will speak at this ladies day out in August. The Lord told me he wanted be to speak about having Lung Cancer and how he has been blessing me after I had surgery and what he is r in my life now.what things He has Chosen me to do for him. What He has Chosen be for. My theme is Baskets Full of Blessings. I am going to fix each ladies a basket and give to each one.
Suzie, my theme is Baskets Full of Blessings. Can you please give me a few chapters and scriptures to you please. I will be waiting to hear from you.
Tara, I love that God has opened a door for you to speak. He will be the one who shares that theme and message with you as you pray and study. A great book that I love that teaches us how to communicate well is “Communicating for a Change.” It’s a great resource to show you how to craft messages, and how to leave your listener with one thing or one truth.
I have been feeling in my heart for the last two weeks that God knows something I don’t know. He has not reveal it to me what it is. He just whisper in his small still voice you will know over the weekend. Keep me in your prayers.
Father, thank you for Tara’s trust and faith in you. We hold close to the whisper that says, “trust me.”
Suzie, I’ve been travelling and have missed your blog updates, but I think I’d like to join in this study. What a great message. I’ll be looking for your posts.
I love Luke 5:10, when Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid, that from now on he’ll be fishing for people. That fisher of men concept has encouraged me through 4 years of church planting in Turkey, a HARD soil, when I’ve wanted to tell God “no” every step of the way, but never did. After 4 years our church plant finally turned a corner.
This encourages me to keep saying “yes” to God about continuing to write, too.
Betsy, you are my hero, pushing out into deeper waters where most have not dared travel. I love that your church plant has turned a corner, and I love that you are writing and encouraging others with your faith and love for Christ.
Thank you for sharing this Suzie. I hear God tell me over and over to do the ‘hard’ things and to walk blindly without knowing the outcome when I make these difficult and anxiety provoking decisions. However, God has remained faithful to me and when I make these painstaking decisions which are ‘standing up for myself as a person,’ setting boundaries with very unhealthy relationship within my family of origin and being brave enough to share the truth about my real life story…I get healthier and healthier, opportunities open up for me such as a wonderful volunteer job, my former spouse is assisting me with some finances, friends are more willing to speak with me and I am moving forward in my life and gaining confidence in myself since I know God is with me.