I cannot remember when I came up with that name for myself, but it was many years ago. As someone who loves the English Language and who loves playing around with words, I loved the oxymoron of eloquent-stammer and decided to take it as my writing name/nickname. It was also fitting because I love public speaking.

I felt that I matched up nicely with the eloquent-stammer title because it portrayed the reality of one who is gifted but also a work in progress.

It turns out eloquent-stammer says something beautiful and truthful about the Christian life, too. Eloquent-stammer doesn’t describe only me; eloquent-stammer describes the life of everyone who has put their faith in Jesus. We have been made new creatures. Yet, for anyone who has become a Christian, you know that the euphoria and bliss of knowing you have been forgiven of your sins and made new, sooner or later gives way to the rude shock of just how sinful you still are. You may have been made new and given a declaration of righteousness in the eyes of God (justification), but there is still a long way you have to go in actually becoming righteous (sanctification). That is the reality of eloquent-stammer. In Christ, we are perfect in God’s eyes, and yet we are being transformed by His Spirit in a tough, painful, joyful, tear-filled, sigh-filled journey as we are made into the image of the Son of God.

I don’t know about you, but every day I feel so strongly the reality of my incomplete sanctification, as I wrestle with my broken body, indwelling sin, remembering who I now am in Christ and seeking to walk in that reality.

It is tough. It is slow. It is extremely slower than I want it to be. It is an eloquent-stammer.

But that’s how God works. He works through His people, who in a real sense have already been seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6 ESV) and yet are still wrestling and struggling to put this sinful flesh to death (Colossians 3:5 ESV). One day, when He has finished the good work He began in us, we will no longer be eloquent-stammers; we will just be eloquent.

So, rest friends. If you are a Christian like me, I invite you today to rest. We are not who we used to be, but we have not yet attained the fullness of who we will one day be (see I John 3:2) But Glory be to God that in His mercy He loves us, He chose us and He will bring us home to Himself, blameless and perfect. If you are not a Christian, will you please accept my invitation into this life with Christ? Will you turn to the Lord who brings out so much beauty from eloquent-stammers? Will you turn to Jesus, who died for your sins, and was buried, and rose that you may die to sin in Him and live in righteousness? I BEG you today to turn to Jesus! He still saves.

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” -Hebrews 10:14

p.s shout out to Toyin for holding me accountable to keep writing. Thank you sis.