How do you build confidence?

    Well, encouragement from others helps. But a mother talking to her little girl on the night before the first day of kindergarten may not instill as much confidence as we had hoped. Practicing with your son before his first soccer game is a good thing, but when he first trots out on the field, he is likely to be convinced that he is going to blow it. As a young couple looks toward their wedding, they are going to have moments when they wonder if they are making a mistake, even though they have assurances from many others. In a church, that first time Sunday School teacher is going to be worried that they will freeze up, even though the pastor has pumped him/her up. And that first time preacher is going to be worried that he will somehow misuse the Word, even though hours have gone into the preparation.

    So, how do you build confidence?

    1973. A high school football game being played on a knife's edge. A field goal could win it, but the home team was to far out to make the kick, and the team's kicker was just a sophomore with an extremely shy demeanor and who stayed away from the upper classmen and, of course, all girls. He practiced field goals in practice and had a really strong leg, but in games he just kicked off. Now, in this critical game, it was fourth down with just seconds remaining, and victory seemed gone. But just when the home crowd should have been shouting encouragement, they grew quiet. In the huddle the players looked up and saw the kicker trotting out on the field. "It's too far! He'll never make it!" "I'd rather try a hail Mary pass." "Well, at least we played a good game" Once the kicker made the huddle, everyone was giving him encouragement, but no one believed he could make it. The opposition was already rejoicing. A college kicker, maybe. A pro kicker, probably. But a high school kicker, no way. The teams lined up, the ball was snapped and placed, and the young, frightened kicker stepped forward. The thunk of foot hitting ball was clear and both teams stopped their struggles to watch the soaring ball. Straight and true, but was it far enough? It was! Three points and the win! The young kicker was mugged and people were going nuts. But that kick did more just win the game. The kicker was a naturally humble guy, so that one success didn't go to his head. But it did start building confidence in him. He still lives in the same town he grew up in. Successful in life, raised a wonderful family and now is involved in kids' sports. And it started when he split those uprights.

    So, again, what builds confidence?

    The doing of something that works out. That little girl who was frightened that first day, graduated from college. Not because momma told her she could but because she built her confidence with each homework assignment and each test. The little boy, frightened before his first soccer game, went on to play college and then coach kids, not because dad told him he could, but because he had a steady diet of confidence builders along the way. The young couple who had some second thoughts before their wedding, looked out fifty year later over their assemble brood of kids and grands and great grands. Confidence built with every argument settled, every tear shed, every bit of success shared.

    Confidence is the result of doing and doing well.

    The Yoke. After two rough endings with pastors, the church was in no shape for making the decisions that had to be made. People had left, money was not abundant, sharp divisions remained. But folks were praying, seeking God's way. And, with everyone pulling together and depending on the Lord, a miracle happened. The pandemic came and people prayed for the congregation to stay together, and the church went back to worship before most. And only three contracted COVID! Deaths swept through the church from various illnesses and the congregation loved and cared for the families and weathered those storms. And the little church in Indiana became a prayer beacon all across the nation.

    Today the Yoke faces another bump in the road. As bumps go, it isn't too bad. The church needs to call a pastor and it would be helpful if he had some other talents. Some are concerned. They see doom and a slow death. Some looked at finances and wonder. Some see no hope. But where is that confidence? You have seen the impossible happen. You have seen fifty years of animosity dissolve before your eyes, you have seen a terrified nation, and yet your little corner of the land stepped fearlessly into the service and worship of the Lord. You have seen pillars of the church pass away, but then others were risen up. 

    The Yoke of 2023 is a lot stronger than most realize. The Lord has made it abundantly clear that He is in control. Exactly the right person is out there. and the Lord is working on that person so he will be prepared for a great ministry. The last decade has been very hard at times, but the church has been lifted up. How can that not instill confidence? 

    The great hymn He Lives! is a song we sing usually at Easter. But it is a wonderful song of encouragement at any time. Tight now I want to look at the second verse.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

    If He is standing with the Yoke, who can stand against the Yoke?