"We have to get under what God has placed over us, so we can get over what God wants to place under us."
This was a quote from a series our Pastor (Ed Young) did called, "Authority Issues." This series has had major impact in my life and leadership. I would recommend every person who serves under anyone in leadership to get a copy. You can find it at CreativePastors.com
So what does it look like "to get UNDER what God has placed over you?" Here are a quick few thoughts (more to come in a future post) that God taught me through this series:
1. Begin to value being "Under" more than being "Over"-
Don't be so anxious to be at the top in leadership. There is probably a reason that your Pastor is the
Pastor and you are not. There is a great joy and freedom in embracing your "underness" (I think I
just made up a word) A very wise man in my life once told me, "Pace-let the game come to you.
God will place you according to your faithfulness to Him and according to the gifts he has given you."
2. Pray for and support with your whole heart those who are "Over" you.
The Church needs more "armor bearers." Look for someone to serve, and start by looking up to
those whom God has placed over you. Notice I said "serve" and not "kiss up to." There is a big
difference in serving and kissing up.
3. Quit looking for the next thing in leadership and give God your best where He has placed
you.
How can we give God our best when we so often aren't content where He has placed us. Often times
our lack of contentment is actually a reflection of "Authority Issues" with God. Trust Him and go full
on with what He has placed in your hands.
Shoot me a comment and let's start some dialogue on this topic!
Pace --- great post for me personally and i am going to copy this off for my staff as well!
Posted by: Todd | March 17, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Love this message and I can truly say I needed to hear this right now. It's funny how quickly we can become derailed from our path and start heading another direction, or even come to a complete stop. I need to move back under the authority God has placed over me, so I can be over those things He has placed under me. Thanks so much for the reminder of this lesson...it's one we should review often to be sure we are in right alignment with God and His purpose for our lives!
Posted by: Sandra West | March 16, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I read your post yesterday and thought about last night. Your advice about "letting the game come to you" really got me thinkng. Interestingly, I had a discussion with my boss yesterday regarding the impatience of some of the younger employees in our company. He has been with the company for over 40 years and I have been with the company over 30 years. We both commented that we had never asked for a raise or a promotion. We have both always worked with the idea that if we concentrated on our doing a good job, the promotions and money would come. I think this is true in the secular and also the spiritual world. My mom used to tell me, "bloom where you're planted and God may transplant you."
Posted by: Don Gibson | March 15, 2008 at 08:39 AM
You're a blogger now? Get out!
Posted by: shawn lovejoy | March 15, 2008 at 08:02 AM
You're a blogger now? Get out!
Posted by: shawn lovejoy | March 15, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Great stuff. Thanx for sharing.
Posted by: Aubrey Sanchez | March 14, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Great stuff. Thanx for sharing.
Posted by: Aubrey Sanchez | March 14, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I think this blogging thing agrees with you :)
I love how you packed so much into few words--I need to learn from this!
Posted by: Sarah's in the Midst of It | March 14, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Ooh... I like #3. It certainly applies in all areas of life, not just leadership. But the idea that lack of contentment may reflect authority issues is good.
Posted by: Emily | March 14, 2008 at 09:28 AM
"Let the game come to you" - I LOVED all of this, short, to the point, but so profound. I loved all of it, but that one line - one to remember. Reminds me just a bit of "Field of Dreams" great line - "if you build it they will come" - good stuff here.
Posted by: Scratchin' the Surface | March 14, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Pace, when you shared this principle with our DTS students they just latched onto it. we have 10 weeks of topics with 11 hours each week and your one statement is one they brought up again and again in our debrief time at the end of the school. we will have to do have a video conference again with you.
Posted by: meg clark | March 14, 2008 at 03:37 AM