I’m afraid that many people hesitate to utilize their own talents and abilities in the work of the church - whether it be teaching a Bible class, leading prayers or songs, helping with a particular project, sharing the Gospel with another person, etc., etc., etc. - because of a fear of embarrassing themselves.  We know that the various works of the church are important.  We know that there is a need for additional Bible class teachers from time to time.  We know that we should share the Gospel of Christ more than we do.  We don’t doubt the truth of the message or its power to convict.  However, we do have doubt in our own abilities as the messengers of the Good News.  As a result, we don’t get involved as much as we should.  We’re afraid that - whether it be in teaching a class, leading a prayer or song, sharing the Gospel - we’re going to make a mistake, say or do the wrong thing, not be able to answer a question, etc., etc., etc.  We’re afraid that we’re going to embarrass ourselves.

     With these things in mind, let me use myself as an example.  This past Wednesday night, I embarrassed myself in the auditorium Bible class.  I was teaching Judges chapter 14 - a chapter pertaining to Samson.  Now when you think of Samson, who else do you normally think about?  Delilah.  Samson and Delilah, Samson and Delilah, Samson and Delilah - That’s what we’ve heard over and over and over.  Well, Judges 14 talks about a woman that Samson desired to marry.  What did my mind do?  It immediately turned to “Samson and Delilah.”  However, the woman of Judges 14 isn’t Delilah.  This woman is killed in Judges 15 and Delilah enters the equation in Judges 16.  However, I started referring to this woman as “Delilah.”  Now I should have caught that mistake...but I didn’t.   Thankfully, the mistake was kindly pointed out in class.  No harm done.  But, truth be told, it was embarrassing for me.  (And all this followed a couple of typos on the lesson sheet Sunday - Just one of those weeks, I guess.)

     What’s my point?  We all make mistakes.  There are times in which we will face some embarrassment.  So be it.  We shouldn’t let a little bit of embarrassment from time to time hinder us from being involved in the work of the church.  So, I embarrassed myself a little.  It wasn’t the first time...and I’m very confident that it won’t be the last.