Preach, Pray, or Die

“Duane do you have a sermon ready you can share with us?” I was offered the spontaneous opportunity halfway though the service this Sunday when the special video sermon suddenly lost sound five minutes in. I had just shared briefly on stage about unreached tribes and was looking forward to hearing a great video message from FEB Pacific director David Horita, one of my favorite prof’s from Bible College. He had already given the introduction about faith and the scripture reference to Abraham when the soundtrack shrank into oblivion.

In those moments I remembered my Bible school training – ‘be ready to preach, pray, or die at any moment’, and this being the church I grew up in in Campbell River I was eager to jump in and help. So without hesitation I grabbed a Bible and a microphone and picked up where Mr. Horita left off, reminding and challenging my church family to walk by faith. It was an honor to speak from the ‘pulpit’ that I had learned from and been challenged by my whole growing up years. And it was a lot of fun.

But there was another blessing for me in it – I was able to use two of my spiritual gifts, helping and teaching, at the same time. I felt in that moment I was doing what God made me to do. I want to spend the rest of my life making the most of the gifts God has given me. This pop quiz confirmed for me where God has gifted me and the direction I am going in to put those gifts to work for His glory, His kingdom, and His will.