Ian is an amazing man. If you only know the public Ian, the private Ian is going to shock you. If you only know the private Ian, the public Ian is going to shock you. He's a friend of mine who has been the leader of Youth for Christ's highly effective ministry in New Zealand. As you converse with him, you quickly learn that Ian has a stutter - which sometimes makes it difficult just for him to complete a sentence. While it's noticeable, it's not important. Ian is a godly, magnetic person. But then when you see him in action before a crowd - as I did at a national youth convention with 3,000 teenagers - well, prepare for a shock. I felt bad, wondering how he would communicate effectively to all those kids with that stutter. To my amazement, I discovered there suddenly was no stutter. His speech was perfect, and he emceed and preached flawlessly. That's what's so amazing about Ian - something happens to him when he has to speak well. And to you.
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You about "Miracle Mouth."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Luke 21:12. Jesus is telling His disciples what to expect when they come under official persecution - a situation where their lives may depend on what they say. "They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all account of My Name.
"This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Now while this applies directly to official persecution, it can be broadly applied to any believer in pressure situation, especially where Jesus wants it to result in you "being witnesses to them." Jesus says, "I will give you words and wisdom." And what you say will be irresistible!
When my friend, Ian, has to communicate, he seems to be outside himself, carried beyond his limitations. In a sense, that has been the consistent experience of believers throughout the centuries - a Divine takeover when it's time to speak for Jesus. Maybe you've experienced it?
Maybe you're in a situation - or you're about to be in a situation - where you have a chance to represent Christ. You say, "I don't think I can do it. I don't know what to say. It's easy for those good talkers - like those radio guys - but I can't talk like that." You're right - YOU can't. But He can. You may wonder how you will ever share Christ with some person you care a lot about - or who is spiritually intimidating.
God promises to take you outside yourself, beyond your limitations. He will write the script and, like an actor, you'll just be delivering His words. You may be in or approaching a pressure situation where you feel inadequate to say what needs to be said. Jesus said, "Make up your mind not to worry" about it. God wants to display His power by giving you words and wisdom you don't even know you have. And you and they will know it was God, not you. My friend Ian has seen it happen again and again - so will you. That miracle at the moment you begin to speak for Jesus.