Undivided
I want to take some time in this season to encourage you to embrace who you are, who you are called and created to be, and also to embrace the gifting and callings in those all around you in the body of Christ.
I want to encourage you to remember every single day that you need every part of a recipe for it to be what it’s supposed to be, and we need every single part of the body of Christ in order to be the glorious and powerful bride that we were created to be.
It is true that there is power in unity. Together, we are stronger.
If we know that, then we must also realize that the enemy knows that as well.
His mission has always been to divide and conquer.
That’s not just a war term in the earth. It was first in the mind and heart of Lucifer. When Lucifer wants to divide and conquer in the body, when he wants to sliver in and do damage amongst believers, he immediately begins to tempt God’s people to compare and compete, instead of to complete. He wants us to criticize and tolerate, instead of to celebrate.
The other day, I was listening to some of my favorite worship on YouTube while I was getting things done and spending time with God. My oldest daughter, Dailyn Faith, who I believe to be one of the most anointed worship leaders/prophetic psalmists on the planet, walked into my house and did not once compare herself to them or ask why I need to listen to them when I have her. She knows that I’m her mom and that I love her fully and completely. I will always be her biggest fan and cheerleader.
My absolute favorite restaurant in the whole world is in Little Italy in Baltimore, MD. I eat there as often as I can. In my opinion, I am one of the best Cajun food cooks that I know (thanks to my late Mother-in-Law). However, I realize that my knowledge in cooking phenomenal Italian is minimal to say the very least. So, while I am there, I do not compare my food to theirs, nor do I focus on my deficiencies and worry that my children will like the Italian food better than what Mom can do. They will always know that they are fully loved, and that they will always be fed any time that they sit at my table. I am their mom.
Do you see where I am going with this?
When you truly know God as your Father and understand that you are fully loved, fully approved of, and chosen by Him, and when you see the ENTIRE church body, regardless of their doctrine, as your FAMILY, you are literally set free from any need to compare or compete.
I do not ever feel the need to belittle or berate what Pastor So-and-So is doing at their church because they are doing what they are called to do, and most times, what I cannot do as well as them.
Just the same, I do not feel berated or belittled when those who so graciously give me the honor of being their pastor tell me of the fresh revelation that they got from the Lord regarding this or that from this Pastor or church or book they’ve written, etc…
When Dailyn told me that it was a dream of hers to sit and learn under Rick Pino, I did not question it or wonder why the things that I was teaching were not enough. I made that dream come true for her because it’s easy for me to see the gift of God in Rick Pino and trust Holy Spirit for it to be imparted into my daughter as she sat under his ministry.
When we realize as pastors, ministers, spiritual leaders, and christians in general that what we preach is true and that people are assigned to their own place in the body of Christ, and when we see and CELEBRATE the family of God as a beautiful wealth of gifting, talents, and anointing, we will never again try to desperately hold onto, command, demand, and be the masters over what God has simply called us to pastor, disciple, love, lead, and encourage…HIS sheep.
I’m not saying that every person in every church should listen to every voice that is speaking in this hour.
I’m just encouraging the believers to trust Holy Spirit to lead you and the people you love and feel responsible for well because He has always lead you well. And should they get off course in their listening and learning from others, then keep your heart filled with love from your Father so that your own insecurities won’t get in the way of loving them well, should they ever decide to return.
I encourage you to crucify your insecurities by allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by true love. It truly makes serving Jesus so much more fun and freeing!
Find and seek ways and opportunities to celebrate and complete one another so that you never feel the need to criticize, compare, and/or compete with one another.
Satan cannot conquer a body and bride that refuses to be divided!