You Want Me to Speak, Lord?

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the LORD said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;

for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,

and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

(Jeremiah 1:6-7 ESV)

I feel like I have something in common with both Jeremiah and Moses. Fear of speaking! I have always hated speaking in public. My heart would start thumping, my palms sweaty, and often times my mind would go blank. Speech class in High school was my most dreaded class. Oh, to just get this class over with! 

God has really been working on me in this for a few years. I submitted to God's plan for me and spoke at women's retreat for my first speaking engagement. Since then I have spoken about a half dozen times for church gatherings at  most recently at chapel services at a local women's homeless shelter. That is where I will be tonight speaking on Mary Magdalene. She just touched my heart as I finished my study on Mark and although I can still get abut bit nervous public speaking I can  also say that I am excited to share God's Word with these ladies. 

Fear of public speaking is still difficult, but it does get easier the more I do it. What fears have you overcome to serve God?