Preachers and Old Shoes

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God, and not to us."  2 Corinthians Ch. 4., vs. 7.
Preachers! 
Someone in the days of the early Church once asked "What do preachers and old shoes have in common?  They are all worn out except for the tongues!"
We all need to know when to stop talking, preachers included--especially.  But how will people hear the Word of God if there is no-one to tell them?  As the prophet Isaiah exclaimed,
"How beautiful are the feet of him who brings good tiding, who publishes peace. . . "   Isaiah Ch. 52, vs. 7.
Like cool water to parched lips, the words of God, brought home to the understanding, are an indescribable joy with unspeakable beauty.  So much so that one preacher was given the name Chrysostom, or 'Golden Mouth.'
Here in Second Corinthians, Paul reminds us to distinguish between the message and the messenger, that this heavenly treasure comes to us through very ordinary and flawed human beings, "to show us that the transcendent power belongs to God, and not to us." 
Vessels like Paul.
And like us.
Preachers, take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground.