I´ve been listening to these teachings on authority and once again been confronted with so many truths that we just tend to overlook. How many times do we sit at home and openly discuss our "opinions" about leaders in our lives (teachers, pastors, law enforcers, etc.). We forget that God instituted authority for our own protection. We forget that He respects the authority He has appointed. We forget that He moves in authority. And we unconsciously (or not) plant seeds of rebellion in our own children and then wonder about their attempts at "bending the rules", or blatantly disobey. What have they been seeing in us?
It happens so frequently: You are driving above the speed limit and suddenly see what looks like a State Trooper ahead of you. Your immediate reaction: slow down and hope he didn´t notice you were speeding. You pass him and he doesn´t pull you over, you sigh in relief and maybe even brag about how close that was. All of this while your children are in the back seat. What did you just do? You disobeyed the rules. You disrespected authority by being deceitful and then laughed at it. So why are we surprised when our child hides the mischief as they hear us approaching and then delight in getting away with having disrespected the rules and us.
This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.'
1 Samuel 24:9-11
So often we choose to have an opinion about a person in leadership, or the way they are carrying out things and based on that opinion we decide whether we respect them or not, whether we let them lead us or not. We forget that every authority in our lives has been placed there by the Lord and has a role to play in our molding and our growth. Yes, we are all human. Yes, we are not perfect. Yes, we make mistakes. So our leaders are bound to make mistakes, but that´s where we prove to ourselves where our trust is. Think of it this way:
Imagine I am driving my van and decide to let Elena sit on my lap so she can "drive". Now, we all know that though the child may think she is driving, I am the one who is really in control. Do you think I would let her drive us into a ditch? Do you think I´d let her loose and just let us crash? You would probably give me a little more credit than that, wouldn´t you? (at least I hope you would!). We all know that Elena wouldn´t really be the one in control. Now, let´s translate into our life. Do you really think God will let someone else´s mistake interfere with His perfect plan for you? Who do you think is driving your life? Who do you think is ultimately in control? It is either God or yourself... We need to trust God for the direction of our life in spite of our knowledge, opinions and judgment. We need to trust God with our lives in spite of our leaders!
The story about David that I quoted earlier is a clear example. David had every opportunity to kill a king who had really lost it. Everybody would have cheered him on! Everybody thought he ought to kill him, after all, this very king was looking to kill David! Yet, because of the Lord, David respected the King.
When we rebel against our authority we are ultimately and really rebelling against the Lord. So how about we plant some good seeds in our children and show a little respect for the waiter at the restaurant who didn´t let you sit where you wanted; for the pastor of the church who gave you some counsel your doubtful of; for the teacher who seems to be against you; or for the President who, you think, doesn´t know what he´s doing. How about we show more respect for the husband God has appointed as the head of our home. Surely God knew what He was doing when He chose them for such roles. Surely God is bigger than they are and bigger than we are and will never let anyone stand between us and our destiny in Him.
It happens so frequently: You are driving above the speed limit and suddenly see what looks like a State Trooper ahead of you. Your immediate reaction: slow down and hope he didn´t notice you were speeding. You pass him and he doesn´t pull you over, you sigh in relief and maybe even brag about how close that was. All of this while your children are in the back seat. What did you just do? You disobeyed the rules. You disrespected authority by being deceitful and then laughed at it. So why are we surprised when our child hides the mischief as they hear us approaching and then delight in getting away with having disrespected the rules and us.
This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.'
1 Samuel 24:9-11
So often we choose to have an opinion about a person in leadership, or the way they are carrying out things and based on that opinion we decide whether we respect them or not, whether we let them lead us or not. We forget that every authority in our lives has been placed there by the Lord and has a role to play in our molding and our growth. Yes, we are all human. Yes, we are not perfect. Yes, we make mistakes. So our leaders are bound to make mistakes, but that´s where we prove to ourselves where our trust is. Think of it this way:
Imagine I am driving my van and decide to let Elena sit on my lap so she can "drive". Now, we all know that though the child may think she is driving, I am the one who is really in control. Do you think I would let her drive us into a ditch? Do you think I´d let her loose and just let us crash? You would probably give me a little more credit than that, wouldn´t you? (at least I hope you would!). We all know that Elena wouldn´t really be the one in control. Now, let´s translate into our life. Do you really think God will let someone else´s mistake interfere with His perfect plan for you? Who do you think is driving your life? Who do you think is ultimately in control? It is either God or yourself... We need to trust God for the direction of our life in spite of our knowledge, opinions and judgment. We need to trust God with our lives in spite of our leaders!
The story about David that I quoted earlier is a clear example. David had every opportunity to kill a king who had really lost it. Everybody would have cheered him on! Everybody thought he ought to kill him, after all, this very king was looking to kill David! Yet, because of the Lord, David respected the King.
When we rebel against our authority we are ultimately and really rebelling against the Lord. So how about we plant some good seeds in our children and show a little respect for the waiter at the restaurant who didn´t let you sit where you wanted; for the pastor of the church who gave you some counsel your doubtful of; for the teacher who seems to be against you; or for the President who, you think, doesn´t know what he´s doing. How about we show more respect for the husband God has appointed as the head of our home. Surely God knew what He was doing when He chose them for such roles. Surely God is bigger than they are and bigger than we are and will never let anyone stand between us and our destiny in Him.
3 comments:
Wow........and Amen
Jenn
Great thoughts. The "sowing and reaping" principle. If we sow rebellion or even disrespect, in time we will reap rebellion or disrespect. Children learn what we model. It is so very true. So we mus model respect and submission, and most important, we must sincerely repent in front of them when we fail to show respect or walk in obedience. Then they learn the proper response to failure as to failure as well.
Good stuff - thanks!
Convicting words..I'll be chewing on them for a while. love to you and yours....
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