When I’m required to do a presentation of any kind, I spend time preparing for it. I make sure I know the material and have all my supplies tested and on hand. I rehearse and reread and plan my words to cater to that specific audience. Whether it’s teaching a children’s class at church, presenting a musical item for the main worship service, and every presentation in between, there is preparation involved. I even go so far as to make sure that my clothes are appropriate and non-distracting, so that the message doesn’t get lost due to the presenter. It would be awful to present myself in a way that is a complete misrepresentation.
Yet, I make presentations all the time, but fail to plan for the smaller ones. From the moment I awake, I’m ‘on’, so to speak. As a Christian, my first presentation is to God. I don’t have to do anything fancy or act in any way. I should be comfortable enough with my Creator to be wholly honest and true. As a married woman, I present myself to my husband. How I respond and manage duties in the home is all a presentation. I’m also a mother, so my audience expands to my children who are not only watching me, but learning from every single thing I do. My presentations extend to my siblings, my parents, my friends, my neighbours, etc.
How I present myself is a direct reflection of Who I represent.
I need to be aware that all these audiences I mistakenly discounted or even ignored do require my best. The people that I see and interact and love each day deserve my best effort, especially when I don’t feel like trying too hard.
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