The Debates
Last night the vice-presidential debate was on. I watched a little, but debates make me uncomfortable. I don't like the bickering and arguing at all.
When I was in high school, I was briefly on the debate team. I spent hours researching that year's UIL topic which in 1974 was school vouchers. (You would have thought that issue would be resolved by now but obviously not. Just do a quick Google search on the topic and see for yourself.) I didn't mind the research or the planning. I didn't mind having to be prepared to argue either side.
But when I walked in the room at the first contest, I knew that being on the debate team was a very bad idea for me. It was pure misery. I have always disliked confrontation anyway, and now I was supposed to stand up there and argue with a total stranger in front of a panel of judges.
Needless to say, I lost that debate soundly. I immediately handed all my note cards to the sponsor. Never again.
I just wasn't bold or brave enough. I had the knowledge, but I would have much preferred writing a nice essay.
And I think of myself now. How I often am not bold enough to speak up or out about my faith.
I have the knowledge. I just don't have the courage. I'd rather write you a nice little post about it.
But I can speak up. Courage is there for the asking. Boldness is in reach.
Let's shake the house.
"On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God....'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness....'
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:23-24, 29, 31
When I was in high school, I was briefly on the debate team. I spent hours researching that year's UIL topic which in 1974 was school vouchers. (You would have thought that issue would be resolved by now but obviously not. Just do a quick Google search on the topic and see for yourself.) I didn't mind the research or the planning. I didn't mind having to be prepared to argue either side.
But when I walked in the room at the first contest, I knew that being on the debate team was a very bad idea for me. It was pure misery. I have always disliked confrontation anyway, and now I was supposed to stand up there and argue with a total stranger in front of a panel of judges.
Needless to say, I lost that debate soundly. I immediately handed all my note cards to the sponsor. Never again.
I just wasn't bold or brave enough. I had the knowledge, but I would have much preferred writing a nice essay.
And I think of myself now. How I often am not bold enough to speak up or out about my faith.
I have the knowledge. I just don't have the courage. I'd rather write you a nice little post about it.
But I can speak up. Courage is there for the asking. Boldness is in reach.
Let's shake the house.
"On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God....'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness....'
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:23-24, 29, 31
Comments
Post a Comment