One of the things I’ve learned in sermon prep: You have to practice proper hospitality with the text.

Here& #39;s what I mean...

It& #39;s kinda like when we as Americans, particularly Northeastern Americans, tell someone from a different culture that we& #39;re gonna "stop by real quick." We show up at their house, ring the door bell, and expect them to just open the door and give us what we came for.

But they invite us in, offer us tea, wanna know how we& #39;re doing, and ask us to stay awhile.

We forget that it& #39;s relational not just transactional.

This is what I often experience in sermon prep. Frustrated that I can’t just skim the surface and get what I came for. Anxious to "get it done."

...Until I realize that the Holy Spirit is inviting me in, asking me to stay awhile. Once I surrender to that invitation, that’s when the breakthrough usually comes.