The Weight of Faithfulness

Over the years, I’ve watched men and women stand before crowds with words that glistened like gold. Every sentence polished, every gesture perfect. They could speak of heaven as if they had been there. Their insights were sharp, their language beautiful. They carried impressiveness, but sometimes, no impact.  

And then I’ve seen others. They stepped up shaking—speech broken, hands trembling. They struggled to articulate, stumbled through their message, and yet—heaven moved.  

Why? Because while one relied on skill, the other relied on Spirit.  

“My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” — 1 Corinthians 2:4 

There is a difference between being impressive and being impactful. The first man is applauded; the second man becomes an instrument of God’s presence.  

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. — Zechariah 4:6 

Eloquence can move minds, but only the anointing can move hearts. Heaven does not respond to how well we speak—it responds to how fully we surrender.  

God has always loved using unlikely vessels. And He warns us of the danger of being too impressive in our own eyes: 

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are mighty… so that no flesh should glory in His presence.” — 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 

There is a holy paradox woven into the kingdom: The less we have to offer, the more God is free to reveal His power. His glory shines brightest not through polished performance, but through dependent vessels.  

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  

Giftings are good, but they are not our qualification for usefulness. Availability is. Faithfulness is.  Brokenness is. God is not searching for perfect speakers—He is seeking yielded hearts.  

“The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” — 2 Chronicles 16:9 

The faithful, even if they stutter, become channels for divine power. The gifted, if not surrendered, risk becoming merely entertainers in the house of God.  

“If anyone speaks, he should do so as one speaking the very words of God; if anyone serves, he should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV) 

The early church was full of unlikely vessels—fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary men. And yet: 

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” — Acts 4:13 (NIV) 

That is the real difference: Not training. Not talent. Presence.  

One may speak with excellence, but the other speaks with God. And the world will always remember the latter.