One thing I love about God is you can not place Him in a box. God loves revealing Himself through His Word. I love how he revealed the Five Fold Ministry to me...in a very unique way.
Obedience to authority has not come easy for me. My understanding
of leadership in addition to its authority has been a thorn in my side. My
mother was verbally as well as physically abusive to me. I was molested by two
of my uncles and fondled as a teenager in a group home. My father made attempts
to rescue me (along with my three siblings) out of the foster care system but
plans foiled. I practically raised myself. I vowed “Nobody was going to tell me
what to do.” There were also some other choice words behind that vow to seal
the deal because I was serious. My emotional and mental pain was too much.
There were people I placed in authority over me. (Boyfriend, girlfriends,
co-workers) I mean I wanted them to lead me but they failed miserably too. So
my search continued once more to find the “Perfect Leader”.
As I grew older, I began to learn about Afro-American
history. I saw images in addition to televised clips of Caucasian enslaving my ancestors.
I saw white police officers, Ku Klux Klan; unleash unbridled fury all because
of the color of their skin plus the need to suppress another race out of their
own fear. I saw politicians, presidents; even my own guardians commit acts,
sins and not apologize. My own uncles as of this day have not admitted, nor
apologized for molesting me.
So I incurred serious problems when I read the word of God
which states, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” I had real
issues with God and this part of scripture. I mean, I witnessed ministers abuse
their clergy and not once admit their sins. I saw the weaknesses and sins of my
leader and other leaders and I thought to myself “If they are not obeying God,
why should I? Who are they to tell me what to do? I hear God too!” I can give
you two different cases. David Koresh was the Branch Davidian leader, in Waco,
Texas. According to an article in Newsweek Magazine, they were formed from “a
schism of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” One of his philopshies was God
told him to have as many wives as King David. Well, God discontinued that by
instructing men to be husband of one wife in the New Testament. In the end, he and
other followers died ending a 51-day standoff. Nine survivors remain. To make
the news current, the Christian Science Monitor reported Bishop Eddie Long; overseer
of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church was accused by four men of sexual
misconduct. The case has since then settled out of court.
In
all of this, why does God still call for our obedience to His appointed
leadership?
I am so glad you asked.
Until next time...
Be Blessed, Be Inspired, Be Whole
Diane Freeman
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