Today's Devotional

 

April 10, 2008

                                                                                         

Subject:  Real Authority 

Matthew 7:29 "For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes"

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Well I just returned from Washington D.C.  I spent an entire day on Capitol Hill, the halls of power in our country.  With all the years I had spent in the city while on active duty military, I had never even been to the Capitol building, much less spent an entire day meeting with Congressmen/women.  It was most revealing.  

Our objective as a non-partisan group of Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans was to convince Congress that it is in our best interest to win in Iraq.  We were there the same day that the Commander in Iraq, General Petraeus, was testifying before the House and the Senate.  

One thing I noticed as we attempted to visit with the Congress officials is that they really do believe in their power.  They do have power because we have elected them to represent us.  However, in some cases they really take it a bit too far.  Several of the offices completely turned us away and not only would they not let us meet with the Congressman/woman, but even the teenish-looking staffers were rude and acting as though we were beneath them.  They would then say something to the effect of "he/she doesn't have time on his/her schedule today."  

God places us in positions of authority to "serve."  There is never a time for us to "lord" our authority over our subjects.  Christians should understand that better than the rest of the world.  

Today think about the authority that you have, and we all have some.  Use it to serve those around you.  After all, you too are subject to the "Real Authority."  

Carlen