To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? NLT

Who indeed?

This is something every genuine preacher must feel, and it will – or it should – keep us on our knees. Our sense of inadequacy, incompetence and weakness throws us back on God. We are incapable, in our own strength, of speaking as we ought. We are conscious of being ‘’fragile clay jars’’ (4:7).

‘If God has called you to preach, the task, of course, is humanly impossible. Preaching is worship. And preaching aims to awaken worship. Both worshiping and awakening worship are miracles.’ John Piper.

‘’To preach, to really preach, is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do it that you must do it again.’’ Bruce Thielemann

This question is applicable to every aspect of Christian life and witness. John Piper describes Christian living as ‘acting the miracle.’ We are called to do what we cannot do in our own strength. But we have to get out of the boat, and as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we find we can do it. He makes the impossible possible!