Believe it or not, making calls to complete strangers can be awkward (they are called "cold calls" for a reason.) Even though I know what I will be offering the person on the other line is EPIC, the initial conversation can still be awkward. When I call, I try to relax and sound like I know the person I am asking the receptionist to connect me to, so that she won't shut me down and send me to voice mail thinking I am a telemarketer. Sometimes these calls go really well, and other times not so much.
Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and you know it's not going the way you want, and yet you find yourself unable to stop saying the wrong thing?! That was me today. For example, one call I made today I started by asking for a person who's name had changed. I assumed she got married and stated that, to which the receptionist said, "No, she just changed her name." Then I continued by saying the person's new name wrong. I completely missed a letter in her name. And as the receptionist corrected me I found myself saying, "Right, I know that's not how you say it." I was literally screaming at myself inside telling myself to just shut-up already. So much for relax and pretend like you know the person. When I asked if I could speak with her the receptionist told me I needed to call her cell phone because she is in the other building and they don't have a phone system in there yet. "Oh, well I don't have her cell phone number because I don't actually know her. I'm just calling to introduce myself to her and see what her mission plans are for the youth this year." Yup, I really said that. I almost felt the receptionist sigh - she was as fed up with me as I was. At this point I think she just felt really bad for me and gave me her email and cell phone number. Maybe she just wanted to get off the phone with me. In truth, I wanted to get off the phone with me. What was wrong with me?!
Unfortunately that was not the only time I made a call and after hanging up said, "Well that was a fumble." The truth is that we are not always going to get everything right. As a missionary, I am certainly not the best sales person, and yet this is what God has asked me to do. And He is still going to use me in sales, despite my shortcomings.
I am reminded of the story of Moses in Exodus 4. God has this great assignment for Moses and yet Moses continues to make excuses. As I read this encounter I almost find myself shouting at Moses just to shut up. "Well that was a fumble." I'm sure after having this conversation with God Moses was probably thinking that it could have gone better. "Did I really just say that?" he might have asked himself. And yet God still used Moses. He didn't tell Moses he had to be an excellent orator. Moses just had to be available and obedient.
God used Moses in many great ways after this encounter. Moses led the Israelites out of captivity and gave taught them to walk with God. Through Moses, God chose to give us the law. But grace came through Jesus. John 1:17 tell us, "for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." I am so glad that God didn't stop at the law. All of my not so smooth phone calls certainly would have proved how unworthy I am to work for Him. Fortunately, there is Jesus and He doesn't give me a little grace; He gives me sufficient grace (2 Cor 12:9) - enough grace to wipe out all my fumbles continuously.
I am so glad that God has grace and can use a goof-ball like me to help get people on to the mission field. I'm so glad He gives second and third (and twelfth) chances. I am so grateful for His grace. And the best part is that this extends deeper than to a missionary trying to make sales calls - it applies to my salvation and yours! If I can't make phone calls right then I certainly know I can't get salvation right! But his grace reaches me there too. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For you are saved by grace though faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast." "He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9
If you feel like you need some grace today, search the Bible for the word "grace" and see how much there is to be received! And as I get back to making more awkward cold calls, I'll leave you with this verse from 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
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