Peter Griffin (Family Guy) said it best; “You know what grinds my gears?”
It seems whenever it appears that there is going to be some sort of change for the better, reality smacks you in the face.
It’s amazing to me how some folks seem to think they can just go around “willy nilly” and attempt to throw others under the bus by claiming no one is doing anything about the “issues” and they themselves have been M.I.A. for months.
To make matters even worse, they tell you how bad things are then leave to their own homes somewhere else in another city, county, or part of town.
This is hilarious to me and such a gross example of hypocrisy if ever there was one.
I have personally witnessed this both in the secular world and spiritual world in which I personally live in.
I can do nothing more than just shake my head and laugh internally because these very folks don’t have a clue how to deal with the “real” issues facing this city. How could they when they are not in the trenches on a daily basis living the issues.
Almost like the house “n” telling the field “n” it ain’t so bad or if they don’t like the conditions to tell “massa” and see if he will change things. Funny I know but not really. Sad more like it.
It’s like someone elected them the Grand Poohbah and anointed them to stand on their personally soap box and dispense self-proclaimed wisdom to us little people and we are to accept everything they say as the gospel truth and without it we will not survive or do better.
Funny similarity of most of these characters is they appear to live a somewhat affluent or above average lifestyle.
I remember having a brother tell me that he was more blessed and God had blessed him more than me and it was solely based on his bank account. I caught myself before I almost laughed in his face because I quick glance at his lifestyle with regards to his kids says somewhere along the way he was misled about what the bible says about the family unit and that a man’s true testimony is witnessed though his kids, their lives as a result of how the father raised them.
To be specific: 1 Timothy 3 (ESV) – 3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
I have said this before and I will always say this, you can’t teach what you don’t know and you can’t lead where you won’t go or haven’t gone for that matter.
Anytime a pastor or spiritual leader allows the saints or someone that sits in the pews to tell them what or how to do something that is linked to his spirituality, then it’s time that that leader either has a coming to Jesus meeting with the Lord himself or step down.
It amazes me how folks attempt to direct my thoughts, words, or feelings like I’m some country bumpkin from the sticks and I ain’t got no learning. Yes I’m a product of Polk County, Winter Haven projects called Palm Place, but don’t get it twisted.
God leads and instructs His men He called and chose by way of His Holy Spirit. There are things that God reveals to the leader only and not the sheep or what would the purpose or need of the leader be.
New converts need to learn to stay in their lanes and it doesn’t matter what you may think about a man of God, if he declares God called and chose him, who are you to think that just because you feel a certain way about them, it’s ok. You need to be very careful about this particular area: Psalm 105: 14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
1 Chronicles 16: he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
You can cause harm verbally as well, it’s called character assassination.
One caveat to note of great importance that sometimes is not explained, God’s anointed is not just the leaders but also the saints of God as well. So leaders need to be careful and mindful that we are not judge, jury, and executioner. We don’t have a heaven or hell to put anyone in. God instructs us to teach the word not beat the saints with it. Do so with Love and kindness coupled with compassion and empathy.
Till next week,
God Bless and keep us all.
Rev. Dr. Rob Harrison, PhD – pastorrobharrison@gmail.com, @drrobharrison
Chaplain – Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Pinellas
The Apostolic Open Door Church of God & True Holiness – 2800 41st Ave. N, St. Pete
