Cory mentioned Father wounds, so I wanted to expand on some other thoughts (revelations) I had.
For example, Herod. His response to the Father was not to embrace the gift. Cory mentioned the danger that people would be unwilling to allow God to take his rightful role as King on the throne of their hearts. Further, when we have father wounds, it sometimes prevents us from embracing all that God has for us. Do we view God as our loving Father, willing to give us not just "good" things, but the best according to His will? Some people struggle with this when it comes to embracing those in leadership or in authority. Rather than seeing the people in leadership or authority over them as a gift that the Father has sent to help direct us towards God's plan, they resist. Herod didn't embrace God's leadership or authority. He felt threatened, resentful, and angry.
When I was a teenager, I made some serious mistakes. They were costly, not just to me, but to my family. Although I repented for these acts of disobedience, my heart was still rebellious. I pledged to figure a way out of my mess and prove myself to others. This attitude affected all my relationships, but especially those who were in authority.
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| Do you trust the Father? |
One day, on a road trip, God brought me up short- He revealed the root of bitterness that was affecting my role as a wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, etc. Because of those in authority who were disappointed in my previous actions, rebellion was a manifestation of that. For three hours, I "ugly cried" and repented!
And through the Holy Spirit's healing, I came to find a joy in being able to trust the Father through the words and instruction of those in authority over me. I'll never forget the look on Cory's face when I returned home two days later. I not only asked him for forgiveness, but also told him I couldn't wait to submit to his authority. I also able to follow up with some former leadership in the church to express my repentance as well.
Looking back, I am so grateful that God gave Cory and those in authority grace and mercy to love me. I am thankful that God brought me to a place of surrender where I embraced the idea of giving the Father control, so that I could receive and submit to God's authority. My marriage and parenting changed radically, as did other areas of my life. Today, I continue to walk that road of trusting my Father to direct my path. I want to invite the wisdom and guidance of mentors. I desire to trust and submit to the Father's will.
I
am sharing my story in hopes that you will take a moment to ask the
Father if you are able to receive not only salvation through His son,
but also the joy and freedom of living under His headship. It doesn't
mean I always agree with Cory in everything...it just means I trust God
first to lead and direct Cory. It means I go to the Father on behalf of
those who are needing to make decisions that affect my life. I can
follow my Father as the ultimate authority who has a good, pleasing, and
perfect will for me. I could go on about the importance of honoring
those in authority, the reward of seeking their counsel, etc., but I
can't say it any better than this: "Obey
your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your
souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with
joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
(Hebrews 13:17).
