One of my favorite things in life is learning, taken part and exploring new ways to do ministry. For me conferences are one of my ways to recharge, to learn, and to see how others are doing ministry in a creative out-of-the-box kind of way.
While at Montreat for the Church Unbound Conference, I learned a lesson in self-expression, in humility and in patience. I lost my voice. Now I've lost my voice before as most pastor's have, and as the congregations I have served can clearly attest. But this wasn't just laryngitis. It was practically gone.
Tuesday, July 1st, I arrived at Montreat after having the stomach flu, but recovering well, and when I awoke Wednesday morning my voice was gone. I could not sing or take part in unison prayers. I could hardly speak in small group and during meals and by the end of the week I had my own translator who greatly helped me.
No I wasn't assigned anyone, but a fellow conferencee just decided to help me communicate at meals and with others. He even called the ground transportation and set up my shuttle to the airport. My voice was even too week to do that.
This I believe was one of the most frustrating and humbling experiences I have had. I sat quietly with a smile yet wondered how the Lord was working on my patience. However, whenever I really truly felt the need to express myself enough of a voice could be heard. God allowed my to pass on what needed to be said.
The most hilarious moment for me was during worship on a day when we were asked to gather by one of the tents that were set up in the sanctuary. We were asked to share with one another a gift God had given to us and how it is a blessing. Lately, when someone asks me what is one of my God-given gifts, I answer that it is opening my big mouth. It is sharing what message is on my soul to speak, it is being a conduit to God's spirit in the world.
So when I heard this question, I began to laugh (well on the inside because nothing came out). Then I realized how funny it was to be standing here barely able to share my thoughts or my gift and yet God was working through my allergic condition to show me that each of our voices are much more than what comes out when we speak.
I remembered at that moment that no matter how I feel nor what comes out of my mouth, God's message cannot and will not be silent. The Scriptures would say that if these little children were silent even the stones will shout out.
I am proud to have learned this valuable lesson -- that God is greater than my voice -- that God is greater than my allergies -- that when God wants something spoken or acted -- absolutely nothing can stop the blessings of God.
