This morning, while spending time with God, I started having memories of things I had not thought about in a while. It seemed like a strange thing to think about, but I was remembering a meeting I attended. This meeting was for leaders at the church we attended. It was a series of meetings where we were supposed to read material beforehand, then meet to discuss, be taught, and grow as leaders. In this particular meeting we were all in one room at a large table and the teacher asked, “What is your best attribute or asset as a leader?” The room was quiet for a minute, then people began to respond. When I took a turn to answer, I said, “Vulnerability is a strong asset for me. I think people trust me because I don’t act like I have it all together. I offer some vulnerability to them by being honest, then they know they’re safe to offer it to me in return.” The room was silent and immediately I knew I had somehow answered wrong. There was a disdain toward that answer.
It was so strange. But it was also revealing and showed me that I wasn’t interested in what they were considering leadership. I want to lead with truth and trust in Holy Spirit. I don’t need to “have it all together”, I need Jesus. I don’t need to be showy; I want Holy Spirit.
I had noticed pretty quickly, in my time there, that I was after something completely opposite of most of them. They were building their kingdoms, I wanted to build God’s.
Furthermore, they wanted me to just go along and stay the standard. To be plaid. But, as God revealed to me this morning, He had called me to be paisley. You may think this is a strange thought, but it is exactly what I heard God say when I had the above memory today. He said, “You are paisley, and they were plaid.”
At first, I chuckled, then I saw plaid in my mind…a series of straight lines…no deviation, all moving in a series of horizontal and vertical straight lines. Then I saw paisley. A bunch of separate shapes that work together to make a beautiful pattern. A different type of team that allows for each person to hear and respond to Holy Spirit’s leadership above all else. It’s much the same way I lead people in the Six-Month Journey of the Heart classes that I teach. My objective is that they would become so connected and in tune with Holy Spirit that they grow away from needing me. I want to truly disciple. Lead people to Jesus and help them establish their own walk with Him. In essence, be paisley. Individual yet connected in a beautiful pattern. That’s really what I am all about. It’s so fascinating the way God breaks down ideas sometimes.
I know we are to work together in the body of Christ, but it’s in our uniqueness that we create the biggest impact. We work together best when each person is allowed to and is appreciated for bringing their strengths to the team. God has given each of us different strengths, which means when we walk together, we don’t have weak spots…everything is covered. We become a force.
Plaid is safe and orderly and reminds me of the religious spirit. Paisley is valuing the individual walk with Jesus and allowing growth while remaining orderly in the design.
God is a God of order. Yes. But not of conformity, over relationship. He wants us to follow Him.
I want to interject for a moment…there are non-negotiables in scripture. There are standards that never change. I’m not talking about these things. I’m talking about allowing people to grow in God, even if that means they eventually outgrow your leadership and need to move on.
In our current western church culture, I believe there’s been too much weight given to pastor lead church. One man above all. His family revered above everyone else’s family.
We are all valuable in the body of Christ. We aren’t called to be celebrities; we are called to be servants. We are to remain under God’s leadership first.
I know churches have probably been hesitant to allow people freedom to grow in Holy Spirit because it can be messy. Or misunderstood. But real discipleship doesn’t seek to control others, it seeks to aid others in meeting, knowing, and growing in their own individual relationship with God.
We must have the courage to trust God to iron out certain details within people’s hearts, rather than simply seeking to control them so it’s less messy. I can’t be saved for you. You can’t be saved for me. We each need Jesus. There is so much freedom to be found in allowing our lives to witness to people and letting God convict and change them.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church; first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So, you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. 1 Corinthian 12:28-31
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40
365 Days in the Presence 