Not too long ago I was pulled over by a cop that was quite rude.
He marched up to my window with a domineering attitude, talked down to me like
I was no good, questioned everything I said, etc. I don’t know if he was having
a rough day or maybe he was just on a power trip but regardless, I didn’t feel
it was necessary to be treated the way he treated me. Even though this
experience upset me- God used it to remind me just how loving He is. God is the
Highest Authority, the King above all kings, the Lord above all lords, the name
at which every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord, the Righteous
Judge, He is the authority over that cop, the authority that is over all
authority we have here, etc. I could go
on but I think we understand He is the top!
You see, He is the Highest Authority and yet God is not on a
power trip, He doesn’t dictate over His people. He doesn’t find joy in ‘cracking
the whip’ so to speak. When we mess up He doesn’t march up to us with a big ego
and condemnation, He doesn’t throw His authority in our face to make us cower.
Instead it’s quite the contrary. He disciplines in LOVE, He responds with mercy
and grace. He confronts us not because He wants to use His authority to
belittle us, but because He loves us so much He wants to help us be better. He
knows that whatever we did that wasn’t pleasing to Him was something that was
hindering us. Not only that but it was something that put space in between us
and Him and that’s the last thing that this Loving Father wants. I’m so
thankful that the Highest Authority we serve is not domineering or dictative….but
Loving. And that’s exactly what He is-Love….even when we exceed the speed limit
J
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark our a straight path for your feet so that those so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."
Hebrews 12:10-13
And Lord,
may we treat others the way you treat us, in our everyday life and when we are
in an authority position. Thank You for being the perfect Loving example!
“Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by
your own good example.”
1 Peter 5:3 NLT
“Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over
those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian
living) to the flock (the congregation).”
1 Peter 5:3 Amplified
