In the old days, I taught speech. I taught people how to craft three clear points that made a case. I taught them out to write an outline that was an argument.
When I applied that to myself, I often found myself writing complete manuscripts, especially when I was preaching or other formal spiritual speaking.
And then everything changed. I couldn’t use, I couldn’t even write a manuscript.
The shift happened in Gulfport. About fifteen of us went to help with the Katrina relief, several months after the hurricane. Brian was the team leader. I was the spiritual leader. He did the heavy lifting. I did the talking.
Suddenly, there was no time for the kind of preparation for devotionals I had done before. Every morning, I read a couple of paragraphs from the Bible to the group. I had planned that much before leaving home. We went to work, hanging drywall, cleaning floors, laying block, painting walls. Every day there was working and talking and running errands and cooking and cleaning.
I had no time for study, for carefully crafting phrases, for developing clear points. At least once, I wrote three phrases on a piece of brown wrapping paper. Once, I wrote on a scrap of drywall.
And then, each night, I talked about the passage, inviting people from the group to talk as well.
I felt an interesting shift happen. The words were working their way into our daily lives. We were understanding the text of the morning through the relationships of the day. We all understood the words better.
It was a wonderful time.
I can’t write manuscripts much anymore. I prepare and draft, but when it comes to assembling the presentation, I’m stuck depending on God. And communities of friends.
Like you. (Yes, I mean you.)
300 words a day 
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Diane Brogan
I don’t know how you used to write, but I like the way you write now.
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Jon Swanson
thank you diane. Of course, the used to probably shapes the now.
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Bill Hanifin
Sometimes we get in the way of the Word, even when we are well intentioned. It’s good to prepare, but then to let it go and allow the Holy Spirit guide your speech. That’s scriptural as well as we are told that we’ll never be left short but will have words to say when we need them.
Great blog….I share daily posts with several friends from time to time and always receive positive feedback. (Old school networking!)
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Jon Swanson
thanks for letting me know, Bill! And I like the “well intentioned” note. So often, we would be better served by releasing our intentions and waiting.
The note that you and Rich both sound, however, is the importance of preparation. It’s not that I didn’t prepare as best I knew (and know). It’s not, for me, about winging it.
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Rich Dixon
Seems like this–and your visit to Austin–are examples of your notion of “divine procrastination.” The thinking, planning, and preparing are our part of the job. Then we trust God to give us the right words.
I have trouble with the “trust” part. I’m glad He understands.
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Jon Swanson
as my (geographic) boss said on Sunday, “It’s hard trusting him to do what’s best when we want to control what’s next.”
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Joseph Ruiz
Comments were real added value to the post (they usually do). Seems to keep coming back to Trust and Obey. 😉 Wish it was as easy to live as it is to write.
Joe
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Jon Swanson
ah yes. And then the challenge of having your words tested against your actions.
Thanks for coming from the Kindle!
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