Answer the Call: Issue 9
If you're looking for an example in the Bible of someone who was afraid to speak in public, look no further than Moses. Here is a man who has a dream of doing something worthwhile with his life, but he gets in trouble when he tries to do it his own way. He finds himself running toward a barren land with Pharaoh's horses and men in pursuit. Moses spends the forty bleak years of his life as a shepherd listening to the complaints of hungry sheep in the wilderness. He doesn't realize it, but this is exactly God's preparation for the biggest phase of his life.
When God determines the time is right, He uses something unique that can be seen and heard to call Moses. The timid shepherd is reluctant, and comes up with all kinds of excuses why he isn't the right man. His biggest excuse? "I can't order my words eloquently." God responds by saying, "Whatever you will need, I AM already prepared to give you." With these reminders, Moses finally obeys.
God sends Aaron with Moses to encourage him in his big adventure of obedience. When they enter Pharoah's throne room, Aaron talks while Moses stands on the side and quietly repeats for his audience what God showed him in the wilderness. It is the first, small victory for the reluctant shepherd.
From here on in his life, we see the Lord steadily refining Moses to conquer his dreaded fear: public speaking. As the ten plagues come to Egypt, Moses is getting practice with Pharaoh and doing more and more of the talking. By Passover, the Lord has Moses talking directly to the nation of Israel. This is no small thing. The Lord takes an 80-year old shepherd who hates public speaking and uses him to speak God's own words to millions of people. By the end, Moses's eloquent brother Aaron is listening quietly on the sidelines and affirming what Moses says.
For the communicator, Moses's story is a reminder that God knows we may have fear, but He wants us to have victory over it. For Moses and for us, conquering fear comes from believing God's promises and facing fear head-on.
Coming Soon!
The 2008 Effective Communication is scheduled for March 31-April 5 in Dallas. We're pleased to welcome Ken Pierpont, Robert Greenlaw, and Dewey Novotny back as guest speakers. In addition, we're looking to add an optional video editing workshop after EC to help you gain skills in storytelling with pictures. Have you been to EC before? Enjoy a special discount. Visit www.envoyschool.com for more information and to save your place today!
Humorous Headlines
Stolen Painting Found by Tree
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Lives Can Depend on Clarity
We came across this quote from a U.S. soldier in the Middle East: "…Three days ago, I put together a PowerPoint briefing for my commander. It had the right info, but was not displayed in the proper manner. It's a lesson I have learned on this staff, and over the last six years in general: How you present information is often just as important as the information you present. When it comes to this job, if your audience, be it your boss or soldiers under you, don't understand the information you are trying to [get] across, they might make a decision based on the information they thought they heard, and it can cost lives."
What a fitting reminder to speak clearly and honestly, whether or not we ever witness military combat.
On Duty
"Help us, Lord, to believe that the protections we enjoy and the respect and influence we possess with other nations are all time-sensitive gifts. Give us sobriety, initiative, and urgency to `work while it is yet day' in America. Grant us that we might eagerly exchange the luxuries of abundance for people who are the refuse of society, yet precious in Your sight." -Anonymous
For Your Quote File
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." -Samuel Adams
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." –J.W. Von Goethe
"Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write." –John Adams, 1765
Remember to pray for America's elections!
The Effective Communication Team
answerthecall@envoyschool.com
Effective Communication 2008 | March 31-April 5
Dallas, Texas
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