Authority by Susan L.

The pastor brought up an interesting thought yesterday. I've been chewing on it ever since. He gave a sermon about being a good minister based on 1 Peter chapter 5. It was unique how he humbly and willingly spoke to himself. We were witnesses to an exchange between the Lord and him. At the end, he spoke to the congregation about submitting to the authority of the church elders. He observed how many people have a huge problem with that. When the power inherent in authority has been abused it is difficult to trust anyone in that position be it pastor, boss, supervisor, teacher, spouse and so on. It's no wonder we often struggle in submitting to our Maker. Submitting begins with admitting our needs for guidance, assistance...love unconditional. Submission is the admission to a better life where we don't need to have all the answers. It is where we can begin to lay our burdens down. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 1 Pet 5:2-3