In last week’s Focus message, “Digging Our Graves with Our Teeth,” I wrote about taking care of our physical bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit. This week I want to address a mental attitude often referred to as “the big head.”
“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything… So, he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet.” (John 13:3-5 NLT).
What to do When You are Elevated
When you are elevated to a higher position of power and authority, given a certain title, get a prestigious college or university degree, what should you do? Start flaunting it? Arrogantly neglect responsibilities that now seem to be beneath your new title? When my father became pastor of Royal Light Holy Church of Deliverance, he told the congregation not to look at him as someone above them. “The real pastor of this church is Jesus,” he told them. “Fix your eyes on Him.” He did janitorial work in the church and cut grass in the church yard.
So, with that example, when I received a MCHCA minister’s license in 2010, I continued to serve and do parking lot duty etc. with the deacons. When I was ordained an elder in 2012, I continued to serve with the deacons, maintaining and fulfilling all of my duties until about 2017. At that time, leadership responsibilities with three ministries, while holding down my full-time job as principal over a large comprehensive secondary school and working on a doctoral degree became a bit overwhelming. Only then did I leave the deacon board.
Jesus must be our example of what to do when we are elevated. What did He do when He “knew that the Father had given him authority over everything,” when He was elevated to the highest level of authority? Did He say somebody hold my scroll? No! He served! He washed feet!
May I never think of myself more highly than I ought! May I never look down on anyone regardless of their status in life unless I am picking them up. When you are elevated, SERVE!
Focus Quote: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT).
I never write these messages without asking the Holy Spirit to give me what to share. I pray that this message is the right one and that it is from the heart of God.
