Brother Preacher

This weekend I watched on the of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game ask his coach for a chance to score a touchdown at the risk of time expiring in the first half.  The coach trusted him.  The quarterback came through and, as promised, threw a touchdown pass.  That quarterback was Peyton Manning.  He is known for his ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage, allowing his team a better chance at moving the ball down the field.  This is known as simply, the audible.

Today, I want to reflect on one of the greatest audibles of all-time.  This audible continues to resonate through the annals of time, but many are without knowledge of it even occuring.  On a hot, balmy day in August, a young, charismatic pastor stood up and delivered a speech to over a quarter of a million people.  Today, most people know this speech as the “I Have a Dream” speech.  But, this would have been misnomer without…the audible. 

African-American preaching is known for its call and response methodology.  The preacher normally feeds off the energy of the congregants.  You might here a “well”.  You might here an “amen”.  You might here a “preach pastor”.  On this particular day, as Martin began to wrap up his speech, a familiar voice yelled out, “Tell them about the dream, Martin”.  That voice: Mahalia Jackson.  That moment caused Martin extemporaneously recall the dream that many recite today, leaving his manuscript to give a heartfelt account of the dream that God placed in his heart.  None of this would have been possible without…the audible.

Often times, God calls audibles in our lives.  Our “manuscripts” have one thing written on them, but a voice rings out from beyond that changes the “play”.  Today, don’t get frustrated if you have to go off script.  Thank God for the audibles called in your life.  Who knows?  They might change the fabric of our nation.  The prophet Jeremiah said it best: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope.”-Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings,

Brother Preacher

Share on Facebook