Creative Writing: Last Minute Preparation

The people of God are singing. Each verse that is sung is like a tick in a countdown, and when it is over I must stand and declare the gospel. It is my duty to declare the unsearchable riches of God's Word. I must prepare.

I have a charge, and it is a dreadful charge. A dread like no other I have known. I must remind myself of this to extinguish my pride. My words will be weighed by the One before whom the mountains will flee and the earth will burn. I will stand before Him, when the heavens have melted from the heat of His glory, after the fierceness of His countenance has flattened every hill, and after the earth has worn out like a garment. Yet I will remain, and I will stand before Him and give an account for what I say today. All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the Word of the LORD endures forever.

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. This is what I remember now as I move to the pulpit to do my sacred duty and fulfill my charge. The King bought these people with His blood and defended them with His life. His Spirit hovers over the congregation like a mother hen over her chicks. He, too, will weigh my words to see if I will feed the flock the Word of Life. The Spirit wishes to hear the gospel and to exalt the Lord's Christ. He who was there when the earth was formed, He who brought it forth from nothing, He who sustains my own life and breath listens to see how I will use that life and breath this morning.

My heart pounds as I open the text. I pray, fervently, silently before I begin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. That I might do your Word justice, O Lord! Today I will do my best to preach the Word. Today I will lift up Jesus Christ will all my might. I need this, the people need this, and with this responsibility comes the promise of great reward. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

The time has come. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!