This week I get to speak twice at public gatherings. One speech will be to people who give care to loved ones who are suffering from serious illness. The other will be to new members of the Chamber of Commerce.

I like opportunities like this for two reasons. The first is that I consider it a be a honor to be asked to speak in these contexts. Disciples of Jesus should be in the marketplace–being partners with community members in the community’s work. It is also a trust, hard won and easily lost.

I also like the opportunity because it stretches me. One speech will be about the spiritual issues involved in providing care to a seriously ill person. The other speech will be about maximizing one’s Chamber membership through networking and relationship building. Both speeches require that I think through what I believe about those processes.

I’ve completed rough drafts of both speeches. Between now and the delivery I’ll be running through them in order to subtract and add to based on the needs. My goal is to be able to present ideas that will cause my listeners to say, “I’ve never thought about that before.”

Getting to speak in these two venues is a public trust. I’m praying for God to give me wisdom and inspiration to say things that will benefit my listeners.