Preach with a Limp, Not a Swagger

A split-second decision changed my life.

In my early 20’s, I was in the semi-finals of a softball tournament, sprinting towards third base.

Someone yelled, “Slide!” So I did.

My left foot hit the bag and my ankle shattered with the sound of a snapped tree branch.

People on the sidelines tried not to throw up as others called 911.

One steel plate, eight screws, and two surgeries later, my leg will never be the same. I’ll never regain full mobility in it again.

As a result, sometimes I walk with a bit of a limp.

One of the hardest things to overcome was the hit to my pride. I’ll never compete, run, or jump like I used to.

When people asked about the limp, it hurt. I even began to overcompensate for it a bit, pretending I was walking with more of a swagger.

I looked like a fool, and I wasn’t fooling anybody.

But God used this injury to teach me a valuable lesson: People relate to me more when I’m honest about my weakness than when I’m hiding behind my strength.

While confidence is important, humility wins the day.

The more I talk about my struggles; the more people open up about theirs. And the more I am willing to admit my weakness; the more people seem to relate to me.

What does this have to do with preaching?

Pride is an ugly color on you. It’s not as flattering as you think.

A lot of pastors hide their insecurities by trying to make themselves look better. They tell stories where they are the hero, hide all their flaws, and rarely admit their mistakes.

Some pastors begin to obsess over their image. Their stylish clothing, changing hairstyles, and looks are a way that they project their crafted persona to the world.

Sure, nobody’s perfect, but aren’t pastors supposed to be close?

But here’s what we all know is true: people are more endeared to a pastor who is honest about his limp than one who hides behind a swagger.

There is something about prideful preaching that turns people off.

What people want, and what we need, are preachers who are real and honest about how hard it is to follow Christ in a broken world.

Authenticity is what we crave. We want the real you, not a fake.

Boast in your weakness

Nobody in the Bible had it all together, except Jesus. And even Jesus showed authentic vulnerability (see Luke 22:41-44).

Look at Paul’s example. He wrote, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor 11:30). Then he lists all the hardships and struggles he has faced.

Paul could have become proud with all his accomplishments and influence in the church, but God allowed him to have a thorn in his flesh. And when Paul asked God to take it away, the Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:8).

Christ’s power is made perfect in your weakness.

So why are we all acting like we’ve got it all together?

You aren’t the hero. Jesus is.

He’s the Savior, and we’re the ones who need to be saved.

The more you are open about your shortcomings, the more people will relate and open up to God about theirs.

The more you pretend like you have it all together, the more you advance the lie that people have to have it all together to follow Christ.

So if you want a fast way to improve your preaching, start preaching with a limp, not a swagger.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).