Our International Leader leaned down and said “Are you ready?” I wasn’t, but I nodded anyway and followed him onto the stage. I was about to present before thousands of international pastors and leaders, both in the assembly hall and around the world via webcast. I was nervous.
But then, God reminded me of something…
I haven’t blogged in over a week. I work at a denomination’s headquarters and we had our biennial International Assembly last week. Every time it comes around, I’m reminded by my body (and the video camera focused on my thinning hair) that I’m two years older.
I’ve been working for nearly a year on a worldwide curriculum called The Quest For Holiness. It all came together and it’s being translated into several different languages to be used around the world in the coming months. We were determined to have the English version ready for the Assembly, and we managed to eek it out at the last minute. I had the opportunity to present the curriculum to the International Assembly last week, and although I had been on this stage before, a moment on a worldwide stage in front of thousands of people is quite nerve wracking no matter how many times you experience it.
My moment to present was about to begin, and I walked up the steps onto the stage with the head of our entire worldwide denomination. My nerves started to kick in, but as I walked up those steps, God reminded me of something, and it calmed all my nerves immediately.
Many years ago, while I was just fresh out of college and serving as a youth pastor in Georgia, I spent a weekend locked in a room praying about my future. After several days crying out to God in prayer, I received a mission statement for my life. I saw it typed out, letter by letter, in my head as I was in prayer.
“Darren Schalk is to give Christians new and fresh insight into God’s Word.”
That moment changed the course of my life forever. It caused me to leave the youth pastor position to attend seminary, which (skip ahead several years and stories later) led me to the position I’m now in. (Yes, I did just end that sentence with a preposition. Ask me if I care. “Darren, do you care that you ended a sentence with a preposition?” “No, I do not. But thank you for asking.”)
And as I walked onto that stage following our international leader—nerves increasing with each step—I heard that familiar voice once again reminding me of my life’s mission. I’m called to give Christians new and fresh insight into God’s Word, and that’s exactly what this Quest For Holiness does. As I heard that familiar voice reminding me of my purpose, my nerves disappeared. I knew THIS was exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and God had prepared me for this moment nearly ten years earlier.
God has a plan for you, too. And when you find yourself doubting yourself (too many “yourself’s” in there, maybe), just stop, take a deep breath, and let God remind you of His purpose for your life. If you listen closely enough, it just might calm your nerves and ease your fears.
Thanks, God, for the reminder. I’m sure it won’t be the last time I need one.
You can watch the presentation here.