About a year and a half ago, we had a weekend at our church where we explored spiritual formation, and Dallas Willard was one of the people who spoke to a group of our leaders.
After he was done, we walked out to the car, and he was just shuffling along, singing to himself a hymn.
What struck me as I watched him was how different he was than what I'm like after I speak. There was nothing inside of Dallas that was asking the questions I tend to gnaw on: "How did I do? What went well? What didn't? Did people like that?" Why do I dwell on such things? Because if they liked it, I can feel good about myself, and I can feed off of that. And if they didn't like it, then that's bad, and I'm kind of sad.
But with Dallas, it was like watching a kid let go of a helium balloon. He wanted to be helpful to folks, but he offered his words and let them go. Neither his words nor people's reactions to them had any power over his well-being. That part was hidden with Christ in God.
I see that and realize that's the kind of person I want to become.
Do you ever watch people at a bowling alley? What happens when they let go of the ball? It's out of their hand and they are watching it roll down the lane, but they're worried it's not going to end up in the right place. So they start moving to the left or to the right, twisting their bodies, waving their arms, or talking to the ball.
But the secret to joyful bowling is when you let it go, let it go. And one of the soul secrets to preaching is when you let it go, let it go.
John Ortberg, "My Holy of Holies", Leadership
Posted by Brian Lowery at 8:00 AM on July 26, 2007
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As Mark Driscoll has said, "After you've preached, let it go and sleep like a Calvinist."
Posted by: Cal H from Portland on July 26, 2007
Thanks, that is exactly what I needed to hear right now..
Posted by: Steve on July 26, 2007