Stepping Into Your Authority
“If we want to walk in the authority of Jesus, we must walk under the Lordship of Jesus.”
Vladimir Savchuk
I want to clarify that in this post, stepping into your authority means to be who God has created you to be, and not withholding any part of your true self. You have read in other posts that I have written, how fear of man has been a stronghold and it has prevented me from walking in my God-given authority. In the past, if I thought someone might become insecure around me, I would shut down and hide the giftings God has placed within me because I did not want to experience rejection or judgment.
I will also not allow my true self to emerge if I am focused on myself (pride) and am insecure with my identity. When I am with another leader, I will submit to their leadership and will stay in the background. I more readily step into the authority God has given to me if I see myself as a ministry leader, or if others see me in that way, realizing this is who God created me to be.
Recently I visited another ministry, and it surprised me how immediately I stepped into the authority God created me to walk in. There was no forethought, no preparation ahead of time, I opened my mouth, and the Holy Spirit placed His words within me. I didn’t need to “muster up” who I was in the Lord, I simply was being just that, who He created me to be.
I wondered why I felt so comfortable and free to be myself in that setting. It felt normal to walk confidently in the authority as a ministry leader. It was as if I had “permission,” the freedom to be me. Instead of being timid or ashamed of who I am, I came alive. It felt good to be the real me, without holding back any of my giftings or personality. Instead, I took my position in the rebuilding of God’s wall.
We all have a place on God’s wall. When we fulfill our role, our position, or our specific assignment, God will be glorified. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). Let us each step into our authority and freely be our true selves, the wonderful gifts God created us to be.
“Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight are the very lines along which our spirits live.”
C. S. Lewis
Relevant Reflections:
What prevents you from stepping into your authority?
Who has God created you to be? What is your position on the wall?
Image by Mark Baird from Pixabay