Spiritual Authority is:
These are found in surrender.
Are deepened in further surrender.
And are ever-present in continued surrender.
Some months back Alongsiders International posted this grid contrasting old style leadership and the new, emerging movemental influence. At CCIM we immediately recognized this as our very own manner of ministry as we stand alongside indigenous pastors and church leaders around the world.
In the months since, we continue to come across other ministries that are keen on exactly this way of reaching and discipling and growing our communities and nations.
And while CCIM works with church leaders who, more often than not, have been raised to minister in the old style of leadership, we are intentionally challenging and equipping pastors and churches to move into an increasingly ‘movemental’ model.
I’ve been reading a book titled The Art of Significance. What caught my attention about this book is the very first chapter ‘Practice Obedience Instead of Free Will Agency’.
Stunning, is all I have to say.
I’ve never seen this written out anywhere before.
The Walking in Spiritual Authority Discipleship Course that I am currently writing is very strong on this. When we are in sync with the Lord, when we are walking in obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, this is when we are most effective. It is when God can trust us that we are then entrusted with the keys of the Kingdom.
When young and as we grew we believed that adulthood came doing what we wanted, when we wanted. But as anyone who has advanced knows, the most influential among us are the most disciplined. The most adult among us are the one’s surrendering their actions to a higher wisdom and the ‘rules of the road’ that this world runs by.
Contrary to this, the opposite of obedience is disregard. I’ve been witness to this in people over the years and it is quite sad actually – a heart and spirit that cannot obey, that refuses to respond to say the (literal) simple rules of the road, or the wisdom of experts (because what do they know anyway), are at a significant disadvantage.
The inability to obey has one flailing on one’s own, unable to access wisdom gone before.
Walking with the Lord is a simple equation actually – grow in obedience, respect, and surrender.
Being used by the Lord is the same equation. Do you want to be used by the Lord? Grow in listening, in responding, in acting on an instruction even if it you don’t understand all the way.
Obedience is a prerequisite to a fulfilling life. The obedient are marked by self-control, by wisdom, and by deliberate action and reaction.
The ability to take oneself in hand and set a course of action, of being intentional and following through with excellent execution, are not the skills of someone doing as they wish, but rather the disciplined outcome of one who has an obedient way of doing life.
The disobedient think they always know best and simply follow their own path and formula.
It never works.
Rather those willing to learn and to grow reap many rewards. The patterns of success are evident in every sphere of life, and it is those able to ascribe their life accordingly that will receive the satisfaction of a job well done and a life well lived.
Where are you shrugging obedience? Where are you doing your own thing?
And where might obedience make difference for you this week?
Those wanting health must obey the rules of healthy living – eat right, exercise, get lots of sleep. And try these ideas
Those wanting financial health must obey the rules of finance – spend less than you make, tithe, save for a rainy day. This is a great list
Those wanting business health must obey the rules of business – be strategic, do not make emotional decisions. Check out these 15 rules
Simply put, grow in obedience, our lives will thank us.