I was watching a video recently that profiled the TED conference. Several well-known speakers at TED were sharing about what it is like to speak at this exclusive and prestigious event. TED’s unique feature is that their speakers are required to speak within 18 minutes. No matter if you are a Nobel prize winner, world class athlete, internationally known artist, or powerful politican, you get 18 minutes and you WILL stay within your time limit.
The video included a behind the scenes look at TED and one of the women who was sharing described how 10 minutes into her talk, she realized that she had two options. She could continue to share the compelling content – the academic and research-based burden of her subject. But she realized that she could also shift gears and share from her heart – with authenticity, vulnerability and passion. She shifted gears and her talk is one of the most well-known in TED history. She said, “I remembered the words of a friend who told me when given a choice like this – to go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is.”
I quoted this woman in my recent sermon on Sunday morning at North Phoenix. Right after I shared her words, I went out on my limb. Confessing the sin of my generation in front of thousands of people (live and online). It was a scary prospect for me – both in rehearsals and live. But for me, it was the essential piece of my message. And I cannot tell you how many phone calls, emails, text messages, hallways hugs with tear-filled eyes that I have been on the receiving end of over the last week. Many of those people reference that moment.
I have seen my friend and ministry partner, Maxie Burch, become a powerful example of this. Maxie told a story this spring about his experience at the Citadel and the bond that created between him and every other man (and now woman) who has attended that school. He told a story last night about the 23 years he didn’t speak to his father, and the fact that this was an elephant in his life for far too long.
I think we all need to find limbs to go out on…because I think that is where the fruit is. So what’s your limb?
