When A Speech Writes Itself

As speakers, and those readers who desire to be, we are all aware of occasions when a speech seemingly writes itself. We are compelled to have pen in hand (or laptop in lap, for me) because a message we wish to deliver is bubbling up from within demanding to be given life.

To those of you who desire to be public speakers there is no coincidence at work here. It is a fact that as we open ourselves to the great responsibility to speak life, wisdom, and experience into the lives of our audiences, an equivalent volume of messages will come our way.

This very time of composition is precisely such an occasion. I am writing from courtside at a local Tennis Center. Surrounded by primarily by women playing doubles, I was drawn here to sit in the beautiful sunshine, feel the cool breeze of early Spring; and drawn here to write this note of encouragement to future speakers.

Your mission, and it should be viewed as thus, is to deliver the aforementioned words of life, wisdom and experience. Whenever you are blessed to present these great and encouraging words to your audience it is an affirmation that while listening, all may not hear.

Wisdom literature tells us that many times people have ears but do not hear. However there will always be at least one who will be transformed by what you have been given to say. Always. I learned this years ago when I wrote an evangelical column distributed via the internet.

I grew disenchanted that my subscriber list was not growing as quickly as I had anticipated. Within weeks of this rather selfish impulse I had a conversation with a young man who said, “Jerry sometimes the only church I get is the column you write.” BAM! One person. I realized that whether speaking or writing, those of us who are gifted, empowered, or otherwise given the responsibility to speak or compose are to do so as speaking or writing to one person.

This knowledge changes our preparation, and certainly our delivery. Our message becomes more personal, more immediate, and more satisfying to that one person in need of what we have to say.

Be encouraged seasoned speakers if you wonder if anyone is listening, and go forth those of you who desire to speak with this word of knowledge. In every audience there will be at least one hanging on your every word, and they are the reason we speak.

Fearlessly,
JD