Have you ever had a blog post you just felt you needed to write, but didn't want to? Or for all those non-bloggers out there, a statement you needed to make but struggled for just the right words. So you put it off for days and weeks and before you know it months have passed…. and that thing you needed to say… you still have this incredible pressing need to say it. This is about the time I usually just stand up and say ‘okay God! I get it and I'll do it, but I hope no one gets mad at me.”
This is that post — and it's been on my heart for a long time. I've struggled with it — because I don't want to misunderstood and because I want y'all to like me. That's my people pleasing insecurity rearing it's ugly head. But back to this post….here goes.
I love to sit under a powerful Biblical teacher and I've been honored to learn from so many. I thank the publishers of incredible Bible studies for giving me that chance.
I've been blessed to attend amazing events where I've heard great teachers and speakers share biblical insights with me. And I'm so blessed to be doing that even more in this past year.
I love teaching that comes from the Word of God. I believe God has gifted some as teachers and preachers because His Word tells me just that.
But girls, we have to STOP putting Bible teachers on pedestals. We do NOT need to treat them like rock stars. We CANNOT assume that just because a certain teacher said it she is above reproach. None of us are above that and we do a sister a disservice when we treat her that way.
Everything written in a bible study book, preached from a pulpit, or spoken from a platform MUST line up with God's Word and it's my responsibility and it's your responsibility to make certain it does. We have to take that message and open God's Word and read it. We have to consider it, meditate over it and pray about it.
Now, before we go one step further, let me state (again) that I LOVE strong teachers — and I'm blessed to be able to do their Bible studies and love that the Lord has given them this gift to serve the body. I can't tell you the times I've needed a Word from the Lord and a bible study teacher has pointed me along the way through a printed Bible study, a video or an in-person message.
Sadly there are some who think that because someone stands on a platform or writes a book she is closer to God and this terrifies me because it is so FAR from God's truth for your life. God has gifted you for the path He has placed your feet on for this season in life.
When I see women shaking and trembling as they stand in the presence of just another Jesus girl (as I heard one sweet speaker call us), I wonder if she realizes that she too is just as gifted and just as worthy as the one of the platform?
When I see women tripping over themselves and elbowing sisters out of the way to get a little closer to a teacher because maybe some of that glory just might rub off, my heart breaks because
I know the only true source of this glory is time with Jesus.
Oh sweet sisters — the same God who places her on the platform is the God who calls you His beloved. The same God who allows her to stand before hundreds and sometimes thousands is the God who calls you holy and righteous. The same God who gives her the message to speak over our lives in the God who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Sweet sister, you have the same God! He's yours, just receive Him. Open your heart and allow Him to be Lord of your life. Let Him reign supreme in your life.
Adore Him. Worship Him. Spend time with Him. He desires it and He requires it.
I leave in the morning to for an event where I'll be sitting under the teaching of another Bible study teacher — and I'm excited about what the Lord has for me. I'm praying for her as she prepares a message for us.
I'm also praying for all those who will sit under this teaching -Lord, let them hear Your message loud and clear and let each one know she is precious to You.
Sweet girls if you've made it this far, I urge you to open your Bible to 1Peter 2:9 — and also to Ephesians 2:4-10, read this verses. Open your heart to hear from the One who has called you to Himself. He has a plan for your life, an incredibly amazing plan that is only for you — no one else. Just trust Him.
My, my. I KNOW how hard this was for you to write, but it was a word straight from the Lord’s lips through your pen (or keyboard, as the case may be!). Oh, how He wants us to get our heads and hearts around the fact that He LOVES us and is EQUIPPING us for our OWN SPECIFIC WORK for His kingdom. Oh, that we would cling to HIM as we learn from and through each other…whether in a living room filled with 5 people, or an arena filled with 20,000.
Thank you for your obedience, darlin’ friend…thank you for being a willing vessel. I’m so blessed to walk this road with you.
Melinda
It was great to stand in line with you and your sweet daughter today. This is a wonderful post and may have been hard to write, but as I stood there today watching ladies jockey for a position to be the first in line, I saw firsthand that it needed to be said. It was scary!
You are right, the only true source of glory is time with Jesus.
Cindy
I just got finished with a study on Ephesians. It is so very clear that God has made a way of equality in His body. There is not one that is more qualified to be any more in union with Him than another. We are all the righteousness of God in Christ. We need to compare ourselves to one another in Christ and we will find that we are all the same. What do you think will happen when the body of Christ finally gets ahold of that Truth. Look out world, here comes the glory of God in manifestation!!!!!
Hope you had a great weekend!!!
WOW, thats what I needed. I am new with this walk with God. Every day he shows me something new, and Since Sunday morning he has been telling me he loves me. And he is working with me on patience. because I have a hard time waiting for him to do something spectacular in my life. And I think he trying to changed me and there alot to changed. Thank you, April 26th 2010 4:55 p.m.
Just found your blog. Good post, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, not others.
Mary, I could’ve written this post. Thank you for sharing the truth.
It’s JESUS we must look to, not mankind.
And yes to realize how precious and loved we are to GOD Himself is overwhelming. That is life-changing truth. Healing and redeeming truth.
I’m so thankful you wrote this. I get you! 🙂 And you bless me.
Mary,
I was thinking of Ephesians as well, but a different passage. Eph 1:18-21 talks of us, as believers, having the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead. You are so right that a particular teacher has no more power in the Holy Spirit than we who sit under the teaching.
Sadly I see the same… dare I say it… idolatry. It is seen in how women treat one another at these conferences (even women who you may have thought were your friends) as they try to gain some kind of position of importance with reference to whatever leader is there. Does that make any sense?
Wise words.
Edifying encouragement.
Well said and beautifully written.
I just got back from visiting Assisi…and to think hundreds and hundreds of years later, Francis is being revered, dare I say, perhaps worshiped….above the One to whom all praise is due ~ the Name above ALL names. The irony of it being so totally antithetical to Francis’ calling and life. So sad.
Thanks for speaking the Truth in love.
Blessings,
Becky
Amen!! Just amen!! That’s all I have to say. NOT!!
What you are talking about is idolatry….stinking idol worship and it is a sin. It is not pleasing to God and will accomplish NO good.
It is so easy to fall into, however, and so I pray that the Lord will open the eyes of all of us to it.
Love you and love your heart!!
Leah
loved this post, Mary, because it’s a trap I’ve fallen into in the past. I’m “wising up” but sure do need the encouragement and reminder I am complete in Christ as much as the next sister!
Thank you for speaking this hard word…we need them just as much as the sweet ones!!
love you,
rachel
Mary,
That was a good word. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “celebrity” mindset. But we have to remember that God is not a respector of persons. He wants us all to live a life that pleases HIM!
I saw you Sat. sitting with Lisa Mc. Y’all were a couple of rows in front of me. I didn’t get the chance to say hi to you. We met at the concert way back in Jan. (I was pregnant at the time. Might help you remember me!)
Anyway, it was good to see you, even it was from behind! 🙂 lol!!!
Love you!
Just one more reason why I respect you all the more for encouraging women to seek His face, and His alone.
Your words were beautifully, eloquently written and our minds are all the better for it. He has to be our first and foremost priority! Our lives depend on it!
Thank you, Mary, for sharing what God’s placed on your heart! A word timely spoken!
Hi Mary,
Tiffany told me you had a great post to read. Yes, I believe this is a word for all to consider.
We should put anyone on a pedestal. I also think (we)Bible teachers/preachers should be careful not to step on the pedestal with our own feet. It is lifting up ourselves instead of the Lord.
None of us are ‘all that’! Only Jesus Is!
All glory belongs to Him alone. Thanks for brings us to the table on this. Blessings, B
annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd amen.
you are golden.
As our youth pastor would say…I’m picking up what you’re putting down.
You did a great job writing this and I can imagine how hard it must have been. It’s easy to “idolize” folks but then when they fall or let us down(and most of the times they do to some degree), then what happens? We lose a little part of our faith because we put in a person.
:hugs: