Step 2
Posted By Mike on November 9, 2006
Now that we’ve established that the first step in the process of becoming the men God designed and desires us to be is RELATIONSHIP – a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Let’s move to the second step in the process – LORDSHIP.
Now, Lordship doesn’t mean evil, tyrannical dictator striking down all who fail or disobey. Lordship means to put everything we have and are under loving, caring, want what’s best for you God’s authority. Did you get that? I’m suggesting that you can’t become the man God designed and desires until you submit all you have to God – your heart, mind, soul, and strength, your finances, your relationships, your desires, your family, your job, your stuff, and anything else you touch, have input into, or otherwise have some form of control over. And when I say “submit” I’m meaning to voluntarily turn them over to God and allow Him direct and total control over them.
This is a huge issue for men. Why? Control. It’s all about control, boys. We want to have a say so. We want to be in charge and livin’ large. The problem with this theory is that we will never – and I mean never – be the men God designed and desires us to be if we have even the smallest bit of say so. We fail every time we venture out on our own. Why? Because we can’t do it on our own, Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” But in Christ we can do all things, including becoming all He wants us to be as men.
My pastor is fond of saying, “You can’t be over, until you’re under.” It’s a cool way of saying, you can’t lead until your ready to submit. In the movie Drumline, Devon Miles, a Harlem street drummer who’s been recruited to play the drums in a college marching band, is challenged by the leader of the drumline. Devon shows him up. Then Dr. Lee, the band director, steps in and begins playing – challenging Devon. To Devon’s surprise Dr. Lee can play, then Dr. Lee begins walking backwards, instructing Devon to follow him, reminding him that he can’t look down. Eventually Devon messes up and is more than a little embarrassed. It’s then that Dr. Lee reminds Devon that before he can lead he must learn to follow.
We, too, must learn to follow. We must learn to follow our King. Before we can lead our families, our churches, our businesses in the ways of God, we, first, must learn to follow the ways of God. And the only way to really follow a king is to submit to his leadership. The only way to follow our King is to submit all we are and all we have to His authority. . .His control.
OK. Now that we have submitted everything to God, we then must learn to lead. Jesus is a good example. Hey men, learn to lead like Jesus. Learn to lead by example. You want your wife to follow you? Learn to lead like Jesus. Learn to lead by example. You want your children to think a relationship with God is important, then show them. I think one of the greatest tragedies in our culture is the lack of male leadership in our families and in our churches. Don’t ask me to give you statistical proof. Just look at who sets the pace in your family. Who sets the guidelines? Who plans the date nights? Who wakes everyone up on a Sunday to get dressed and ready to worship the King of glory? Who serves in your local church? Listen guys, it must be us. God gave us that responsibility. The problem is that we don’t know how. So we let our wives and the women of the church do it. We will never be the men God designed and desires until we take on the role of leadership in our families and in our churches that God expects of you and me.
So what do you say, men? Ready to lead? Then submit. It’s called LORDSHIP.
Mike
hmmmmm. Begining to understand where you are and perhaps where I need to be.