these are the four steps to peace found in the Imitation of Christ,
which is really illuminating
"My son, resolve to do the will of others rather than your own. (Matt 26:39)
Always choose to possess less rather than more (Matt 10:10)
Always take the lowest place, and regard yourself as less than others. (Luke 14:10)
Desire and pray always that God's will may be perfectly fulfilled in you . (Matt 6:10)"
always take the lowest place.
but our fallen human nature so innately craves for the highest place,
even in the church
like the apostles who in their training days asked,
"Lord, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
with the secret ambitions
to be the greatest, the highest,
the most powerful out of all men -
in the kingdom of heaven
that is why so many want to become pastors
without the giftedness
that is why i prayed last time,
make me a pastor's wife
because the pastor is the leader
of the church and the fact remains
that he is incredibly influential, powerful
and mighty
not in the secular world, but he wields a mighty power
pray to God that there will be faithful pastors who will not abuse this power given unto them
from Christ,
the true Head to whom all power is given
but even the best men are but men
and they will fail sometimes
and the power is not always exercised in
perfect judgment and precise righteousness
ultimately, we must look to the ultimate authority -
God.
this is not to say we do not go to church,
or that we disrespect faithful pastors,
but that we call a spade a spade
one, they have power as undershepherds of the church
two, they must give an account to God for the rightful or wrongful use of their powers
three, Lord i'm happy where i am
as a lowly servant of Thine,
neither powerful nor mighty
but in the shadows
but if Thou ever deignest to raise me,
i pray i may be in full consciousness of the power granted to me
to impact lives
and never, ever abuse it.
Amen.