What Makes You Nervous?

There aren’t many things in life I enjoy doing more than speaking in front of people. Idk why.  I just really like it.

For whatever reason, I had a lot of opportunities to practice growing up.  School presentations, ministry events, public speaking classes, and even competitions have given me outlets to talk about the things I’m passionate about and believe in.

I don’t consider myself to be an amazing speaker like Andy Stanley or anywhere even remotley close to that level, but I do believe it is something God has gifted me with and that I’ve gotten better with practice over the years.  I’ve been put in uncomfortable situations where I’ve been forced to speak in front of people, often off the cuff.

With all the “reps” I’ve gotten throughout my life, you might think I’d be super comfortable and at ease with it now.

But….. I’m not.  Like not at all.  I still get crazy nervous before I speak in front of people.  Like sometimes I’m so nervous I don’t even want to get up there at all.  Just throw some water on me so I can melt out of sight like the wicked witch of the west.

But… then I get up there and grab the mic and I’m good.  The nerves are gone.  What??

I was watching an interview the other day between talk show host Conan O’Brien and Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer for the Beatles.  He said that to this very day (he’s like 74), he still gets nervous before he goes on stage.  Once the song begins, he’s fine. But up until that point, he gets super uptight and tense each and every night before he performs.

Umm….. what?  Dude, you were in the biggest rock band of all time.  You played all over the world in front of fainting teenage girls.  Your band revolutionized music forever. You’re kind of a big deal. How do you still get nervous after 50 years of being one of the most famous musicians in history?

Maybe it’s this.  Maybe being nervous means you care.  Maybe it means you’re on to something.  Maybe it means your mind and body are getting amped up for peak performance. Like an engine revving up before a big race.

Not all the time, of course.  Being nervous sometimes means you’re unprepared.  Or in physical danger.

But what about when you get nervous about things you’re passionate about?  Things you’re good at?  Things you can use to love and serve people and make a difference?

What then?

That’s the kind of nervousness that I think is good. That butterfly feeling, the flutter in your stomach.  I think it’s something that we probably should step closer towards, not away from. In fact, nowadays I actually like getting nervous before I speak.  When I’m not, I end up less focused and less engaged.  That nervous flutter gets me fired up and ready to go.

Pretty counterintuitive, eh?  Kinda like a kid from Atlanta using a Canadian expression to get a point across.

It all makes perfect sense now, doesn’t it?  You’re welcome.

Ok, probably not.  But what is it for you?  What are your gifts?  Where can you serve and love others and add value?  Go ahead and take a step closer towards those things (even if you’re a little nervous) and see what happens.