Preacher's block

Just getting ready for tomorrow's service. I'll be working to the lectionary so will be looking at two of the most wonderful chapters in scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

I've been thinking about the Corinthians reading all week. My mind is going round the issue that I think a lot of Christians find very difficult - how do we love people we can't stand? It is always easy to love the lovable, but there are many people who just defy love. That is as true in the Church as it is in any other walk of life.

Many Christians try to handle this by acting in a phoney, almost sickly way. I can't put that sort of behaviour on. Yet I think back to my most productive Christian experiences and the one thing I remember is the love and affection between believers. A really loving Christian in a really loving Church can  touch people in a way that all the sermons and exhortations in the world never will.

Jesus once "emptied himself of all but love" (I can find the phrase in the hymn but can't find the scriptural basis) and changed the whole of human history. We will never be able to be so empty or so full, but just taking a hesitant step and seeking the emptiness that only has room  for love may be the start.

I sat down earlier to see if I could crystalise my thoughts. This seems impossible. January was one of the busiet months for my business since I launched in 2003. My mind has been set hard on delivery. Tomorrow I'm going to have to find time to sort out invoices and expenses. I can't say that the controversy on the Methodist blogsphere about blogging has helped.

I often get writer's block, especially if I am trying to put down a grand strategy. I keep writing a few sentences, then delete them, then start again. In the old days I would be surrounded by crumpled sheets of paper taken from the typewriter.

Preacher's block though is very different. I won't be able to tear anything up when I am thirty seconds into the address tomorrow.

So I feel very thrown back onto the sheer grace of God. I don't like being in that position. I certainly don't like it when I hear an unprepared sermon that someone claims was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Ironically the reading from Jeremiah actually promises that God will put words into the preacher's mouth, so possibly I need not worry.

I'd be interested to hear how other preachers handle preacher's block. Meanwhile, I'm off for my cocoa and an early night. Perhaps a good night's sleep will help........and if you want to hear a badly prepared sermon pop in on Sunday at 11.00 am.