Authority is a word that most young people don't use for one simple reason. It's a power word... and adults are the ones that generally have all the power. When adults want to describe reachable goals for you, they usually use words like maturity, growth, humility, or patience; but seldom, if ever, do they use authority. / But disciples of Jesus can have authority, whatever their age. This kind of authority is the result of simple living. The authority of living always has greater influence than the authority of talking. A young person can possess all of the benefits of authority -- influence, respect, and strength -- just by living an ordinary life and following Jesus wherever he leads. / Here's an easy way to know whether you have authority or not. If your friends ask for your advice, if they want to be with you when they are in a crisis, if they refer their friends to you, if they defend you to others... then you know that they see you as someone with authority.It was interesting that I read that, and then opened my email and my "quote for the day" was: "A man may carry the whole scheme of Christian truth in his mind from boyhood to old age without the slightest effect upon his character and aims. It has had less influence than the multiplication table." (from J.G. Holland)
Then... my verse for the day was Matthew 10:42, "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."
Also, last night I began reading Scot McKnight's 'Jesus Creed' again, and read the chapter on Mustard Seeds. You know, God didn't choose the biggest and the brightest, but rather chose to work in and through the least expected....
There seems to be a pattern developing here. Maybe the transformed life really is just putting one foot in front of the other. Merely 'not giving up' can be a powerful thing. I guess I have probably always been one of those people who questioned authority. I was never content with believing something just because someone said I should or shouldn't. But I guess authority isn't really what I was questioning. Not the one's with real authority anyway. I want to live an authoritative life - you know, to help people rather than hurt them, to do my part, to follow Jesus. And I want Him to be the one that knows about it - even if no one else does.
May God bless you with the patience you need to get through the day, and give you the strength and courage you need to live an authoritative life.
1 comment:
It does seem like a theme. Maybe there is something brewing beneath the surface that we haven't gotten a hold of yet. Interesting.
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