Mark 1:22 ~ And they were astonished at His doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Once upon a time ago I worked for my Dad. One day he gave me this huge three ring binder and told me to go and study it. Periodically he would ask me questions about what was in the book. Rarely did I have the right answer. One day and out of frustration I asked “How do you know all of this stuff?” Dad said, with an authoritative grin, “It’s easy for me. I wrote the book.”
The preachers, the teachers, the lawyers, and the doctors can only study, learn and regurgitate what they read. Your family can only offer their advice and input on who you should be and what you should be based on their knowledge of you. Some even take it further and try to have authority over your life and your life’s experience.
If things aren’t working out like you had hoped in this life it’s not their fault and really it’s not all your fault. You have to own where your life and life’s purpose is at or headed, but there are many factors that have led you here.
I’ve been told all of my life what I’m good at, how I should talk, how I should dress, how I should behave, or who I should love. I’ve been told I would never be able to speak to groups due to my accent and tone, etc. I could go on and I’m sure you can come up with examples of how the world has stuck a finger in your face and told you who you are too. We follow their advice or at least doubt ourselves every step of the way. Yet, deeply, we know they lack the authority or wisdom to control us or define us.
Jesus, even as a child, spoke with astonishing wisdom and authority. He taught the religious leaders and also taught the common people. The way He spoke and the works that followed His walk left the religious leaders with a desire to kill Him and left the common folk forever changed. He had authority because he wrote the book. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He wrote the book on everything. He doesn’t hold the keys to the THEORY of everything but rather holds the keys to the TRUTH of everything. This means He also wrote the book on me.
He knew me before I was in my Mother’s womb. He knew me when I was given the label Travis by my natural mom and dad. He knew me when he gave me a new name written on a white stone that no one knows but me and Him. He knows every time I pleased people and did it their way because of my cowardice. He knows every time I faked it and every time I have been authentic. He knows who I should be and who I can be, in Him.
There is only one with authority over our lives and only one worth pleasing and that’s the Holy Spirit. He is tender and gentle as a dove and bold as a Lion. He is the author and the finisher of my faith. He is the lover of my soul. He gives me free will so my fellowship with Him can be authentic and unforced. He waits for me to ask “Who do you, Holy Spirit, want me to be?”
Most likely what He tells you won’t please people who desire to control and have authority over your life. Those people want to be happy. They don’t necessarily want your happiness unless it aligns with their happiness. Jesus desires your genuine happiness and knows what would be best for you. A happy you, means a happy life full of light and love and that’s how faith changes the world.
Be real in Jesus as much as you can while at home in the body. Only then will you be happier. He might just use YOU to change the world.
I love you Holy Spirit. Only you have authority over our lives.
A testimony Tuesday, September 7, 2021