Public speaking and the welcoming warmth of Love

When God told Moses He had a holy task for him—freeing the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt—Moses was doubtful, sure that nobody would believe that God would send him to deliver Israel (see Exodus, chaps. 3–4). His doubts about himself included being “slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” But God cut through Moses’ resistance with this powerful assurance: “Certainly I will be with thee.” And so He was, for Moses triumphed in freeing the children of Israel and leading them to the Promised Land. And their journey ends with a song of praise to God that the Bible attributes to Moses (see Deuteronomy 32).

Many can relate to Moses’ feelings of inadequacy. For instance, studies show that many of us are afraid of public speaking. Career advancement sometimes hinges on overcoming this fear, on finding the freedom to confidently deliver status reports and give presentations or to contribute innovative and useful ideas in meetings. As Moses learned, we can trust God to provide the capacity to perform the tasks He gives us.

The Bible teaches that God is all-powerful and everywhere as infinite, divine Spirit. Wherever we are, God is right there with us. We coexist with Him. He is always with us, protecting, guiding, instructing, encouraging, strengthening. There is no room for fear in the universal atmosphere of divine Love. And the spiritual woman and man made in God’s likeness (see Genesis 1:26, 27) forever express God-given dominion, poise, confidence, courage, and grace. Fears of being judged or ridiculed by others are overcome by the steady conviction that God is the power behind right ideas and our ability to express them clearly. Any suggestion of timidity or cowardice can be replaced with the certainty that God always supports right activity, empowering us to successfully accomplish honest work in our daily lives.