I rehearsed my first official Toastmasters speech (the "Icebreaker") a time or two in the car. I wanted to make sure I shared the right stories and struck the right tone. My speech was entitled "Worst of Hypocrites" (re-telling here is based on memory, since I don't use notes).
"My name is Stephen Roberts. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to my best friend, a father of two children that I adore, and...sad, but true...a hypocrite.
I know that hypocrisy is the reason why many claim to reject Christianity, and if you are one of those people, then I am the guy you're talking about. I am a hypocrite, and it runs in my family.
(My dad, in his repentance, is very gracious with me speaking about our past.)
My parents became Christians when they were in college--as hard as it might be for some of you to believe--I know people can often take Christianity for granted out here.
A few years after getting married and having their first batch of kids, my dad's business collapsed. He became very depressed and was prone to despair. This from the same guy who took us to church week after week to hear about the one source of true hope in the world!
His depression wasn't tied up in a neat, little bow, but gave way to anger. He took his children to Sunday School week after week to hear about a Savior who bore the world's anger, but didn't repay it in kind. Yet he manifested that same anger toward his family.
But who am I to point the finger at my dad?
When I became a Christian, in many ways, I was a jerk. Even though I believed that my new faith was a sheer gift of grace, I berated others for not embracing an obvious truth--as if it had been obvious to me!
And my hypocrisy continues to the present day. Tonight, I led my family in prayer around the dinner table. Yet, earlier in the day, I was impatient toward my little boy--who bares all my same traits!--and with my wife, who is so wonderfully different from me. I had the gall to lead the family I hadn't loved well before the Lord in prayer.
I am a hypocrite, but not without hope. In fact, I think that we are all hypocrites--striving for standards or ideals that we can't possibly keep. I am and will always be a hypocrite. I strive to keep the law of God. How can I possible keep God's law when I am a mere man, broken under the weight of my own sin and suffering? My hope is found in the fact that God sent His Son to fully keep that law in my place, so that I can get up each day anew and strive to keep it in gratitude.
But let's leave the language of hypocrisy. I think it best to describe people as messes. We are all messes, broken under the weight of our sin and suffering, The question is "Whose mess?" You are either God's mess or your own mess. I am God's mess.
God tells us in His Word that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (and Paul adds), of whom I am the worst. But it was for this very reason, that in me, the worst of sinners, He might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe and have eternal life."
When you see me, you will not see strength, but weakness; Not wisdom, but foolishness. But I hope that you will also see that I am God's mess. I hope that you will see that His same patience can be your hope.
I sincerely thank you for your time."
Here are a few excerpts of the written feedback on the substance of my speech:
"We are messes--like that description. Great message about being a hypocrite. You told a story. People love hearing messages in a story. It's relatable. Very sincere, nice pace--voice loud and clear. Great enthusiasm."
"As an active church goer, I sympathized and could think of examples from my own experience."
"Confident, powerful, sincere...Good introduction; content came from the heart. Great message for us to apply to ourselves. Everything "vocal" was excellent."
"It was personal, informative and teaching/preaching. Very enthusiastic, forceful. It was fast at the end, but that is you!"
"Your ability to tell a story makes me feel like I'm transported to the moments in the past as you described your very personal story. We got to know you extremely well since you were so open about yourself...The speech was well structured, but flowed freely. Like a great conversation with a friend. I wouldn't ask you to change anything about the speech. I like how personal and humble the story was. For most people, it's difficult to own up to our flaws. I like that you shared your faith openly and how it makes you the person that you are."
For my own part, I love having a captive audience for whatever it is I want to share. And I love that they need to pay rapt attention in order to take notes. :) I also appreciate the feedback and believe I'll grow from it, by God's grace.
If any of you in the Falls area would like to practice your public speaking and/or share your faith with others, come and visit this fun club! We meet every other Monday at 6:30pm at Uno Chicago Grill. Come put your mess on display!
