Thursday, 16 September 2021
“Everyone will pass through the fire and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.” – Mark 9:49 TPT
Ask most people about their ambitions and they will go straight for the jugular. They’ll name positions in high places and anything that comes with status and power. Ask the same people about the work and the sacrifices required to even reach the next level of where they currently are and that’s where the rubber hits the road. Many want power, the perks, and the titles but do not want to be tested or tried. Everyone called into a position of leadership MUST be tried by fire. More so in ministry, as this is a divine area where the LORD is entrusting His people into the hands of man. It is easy to see someone who is in a leadership position in the church and question how they got there or if they are even deserving. Yes, not every story is honorable. But we are now talking about true GOD-appointed leaders. We can see throughout the Bible how the LORD trained, broke, and tried His chosen ones. How He built their character in ways that would have led many to give up along the way. Yet those who withstood the fire became the great men and women we speak of today.
David killed a lion and a bear to prepare him for Goliath. He led an army in the wilderness to prepare him to lead a nation. Joseph was sold into slavery, accused of rape, spent years in prison, and went through all sorts of things that he did not deserve. And yet all the while GOD knew what He was doing in him and what He was preparing him for. Not to even speak of Moses and the prophets. The disciples went through beatings, persecutions, prison, and all sorts of horrors in order to lead many to Christ. And some were even crucified in the name of Jesus. (Not sure how many of us would welcome such an ending).
Today we see what is happening all around the world to Christians and can tell that nothing has changed when it comes to the ways of the LORD regarding His people. Not many true men and women of GOD talk about the things they go through in their position of leadership. Nor do they parade their battle scars for all to see or even mention the amount of time they spend seeking the face of GOD on behalf of His people. But let me assure you that there is no one GOD has called to lead His people that He has not broken and rebuilt over and over again. So when GOD says,
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 KJV. This Scripture is a command that carries with it Kingdom laws that cannot be broken. Honor and authority are spiritual keys that open doors that prayer alone cannot. It would be wise for us to always look at our faith journey and see where we have sowed seeds of dishonor towards our leaders. Where rebellion has locked us out of our destinies and blessings. Yes, many want power and blessings, and some are willing to go to all sorts of lengths for it. But it is only when GOD’s divine structure of leadership is in place in our lives and we have fully submitted to it that GOD releases those very blessings and power that we so desperately want.
Honor and authority are spiritual keys that open doors that prayer alone cannot. It would be wise for us to always look at our faith journey and see where we have sowed seeds of dishonor towards our leaders.
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