Archive for the ‘Spiritual leadership’ Category
Ever caught yourself asking God what you were to do next? I have.
As I think about the disciples, I do not think they spent a lot of time asking Jesus where are we going? What about our bills? What about our meals? What’s the calendar look like for the next week? No, I think they simply stayed close to and listened to Jesus. They knew that Jesus was the “Way” and the Good Shepherd.
It is often much easier to create a plan than to cultivate a relationship.
You see, the man who walks with God always gets to his destination. When we spend time with the Father, growing our relationship, we simply follow Him where He leads us. There is no need to rush into His throne room asking for directions – darting back out again in all of our busyness.
There is an old hymn that says it like this:
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Cultivate the relationship.
I believe in vampires. I do! I’ve seen them! Not necessarily the kind you see on television or at the theatre, but the kind of undead folks that suck the life out of you! You know the kind that sees the gray cloud in every silver lining. They are not fully alive, and want you to be the same way.
Vampires are creatures of the night and darkness. The enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy our lives, hopes, and dreams and those of our loved ones. The Apostle Paul tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces. You see, the undead do not associate themselves with light and goodness, except to prey on it.
Just like the undead life-suckers of folklore, those in real life are often invited into our lives with us unaware of the drain and destruction they will eventually bring upon us. That is why it is so important to guard our associations and relationships and establish clear boundaries. You cannot always keep away from them (they may be at your place of work or your family), but you can limit your exposure to them and keep your guard up when you are around them.
Unlike the vampires of folklore, some can be returned to the life of the fully alive. However, most life-suckers are much more accustomed and comfortable to being the victim of another life-sucker that they choose (unknowingly) not to get better. Other vampires can just be mean life-suckers that enjoy their role. In either case, it takes a lot of energy and wisdom in helping them. Most untrained mortals are not up for the task. It should be left to the professional (and I’m not talking about Buffy!).
