Have you ever had a job in which you were given responsibilities, but no authority to make decisions in order to fulfill those responsibilities? I can tell you from experience, it’s pretty frustrating. Think Israelites in Egypt, being ordered to make bricks, and not being given any straw…
While we don’t typically take management lessons from stories about the disciples casting out demons, there is a point here to think about, in terms of volunteers in ministry…
If enough training has been done, I can release someone to make decisions as they do their job, and then I fully support him or her, regardless of whether or not I agree with their decision. I’m supporting them as they step out and learn lessons, sometimes the hard way. The key is in the training beforehand. Come to think of it, that’s exactly what Jesus did, right?
It’s reassuring to think about the fact that God has trusted us enough to give us all the training we need (His word, His Son), and then released us to operate in His authority. He’s given us resources – power – with which to do our job, and beyond that, His Spirit is close at hand to guide us.
David was just a little guy up against a giant, but in the spiritual sense, he had the advantage. I’m going to keep that image in my mind as I ponder…
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