Preaching Is in My Heart

The apostle Paul writes of preaching:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believe in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

When I was ordained, back in August of 1970, the text my pastor used was 1 Timothy 5:17:
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." I still recall him saying this means we should support, both personally and financially, those who labored in preaching. I knew almost nothing then but I was sure I was called to preach. There was, in my soul, that sense that said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel."

I am still amazed, even this very day as I preach the gospel in a Christian Reformed Church about an hour from my home, that anyone would listen to me preach. I am more amazed that God called me and then that he would be pleased to use me at all. "Who is sufficient for these things?"