This past Sunday, I had an experience that, unfortunately, happens about once a year: I was sick and still needed to preach. This time, it started with my sinus’ draining, then moved into my throat, and finally into my chest. By Saturday night, I had started coughing and was having a hard time stopping. At this point, especially in a Church the size of the one I lead, there is no backup plan or other option. I need to speak if we are going to have a sermon.

I woke up on Sunday and took three different medicines. I figured it would handle all my issues and keep me going for a few hours. I also had cough drops in my pocket and used one of them immediately before our first program. Still, when I stood up to preach, I was only about ten minutes in when the coughing began. For about five minutes (what seemed like an eternity to me), I stood on stage and coughed when I was trying to preach. The irony wasn’t lost on me: here I was, trying to speak about divine power while my own human frailty was on full, embarrassing display.

There are several points to consider regarding this situation as a preacher. One, I tried everything possible to prevent it. Two, I HATE that it happened. We had a couple of guest families, and I feel terrible that this was their first experience at our Church. I apologize to anyone who had to listen to it. Finally, I had no issues during the second worship program. My voice was a little strained and deeper than usual, but there was no coughing fit to interrupt the sermon.

Paul tells the Church in Corinth that his preaching was not with wise or persuasive words but a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (1 Cor. 2:4). Well, I am not Paul, and I do not use wise words either, but I do occasionally add a lot of coughing. If anyone received something meaningful from that first sermon, it stands as testimony to God’s ability to work through even the most compromised vessels.

Perhaps these moments of physical weakness serve a greater purpose than I initially realized. They strip away any illusion that effective ministry depends on my performance, my preparation, or my pulpit presence. Instead, they point to a more profound truth: every week, regardless of my health, it’s the Holy Spirit who transforms simple words into life-changing encounters with the divine. Sometimes, it just takes a coughing fit to remind me of that reality.