Hidden agenda?
“When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about.” ~ Albert Einstein
I think Einstein got it right and wrong. Right in that it is true that there are far bigger issues going on than we often imagine.
We do tend to see things relative to our own constraints of time and space, oblivious of the events that are happening not so far or remote from us, sometimes on our own backdoor.
When it comes to the idea of having a hidden agenda, everyone is prone to the suspicion of others, leaders are especially vulnerable. People can at times wonder what the real focus, reason or motive for a persons actions is.
Sometimes this is based on a breakdown in relationship, or distrust. Often such a persons motives are questioned solely because they are simply not known well enough. That is one reason why relationship and accountability are so essential to ongoing prophetic maturity. Prophetic people should not expect acceptance based on their gifting, but on their character.
But here is where Einstein was adrift. Though we are prone to overemphasizing the role of the individual in the western world, we are nevertheless so before God. We each have a personal calling (as well as a corporate one) to live before God in integrity, uprightness and obedience to the leading of His Spirit.
The prophetic person ministering has a clear mandate in scripture, (along with everyone else!) not to be in pursuit of role, recognition or profile, but to be seeking wholeheartedly to build up, encourage and console the Body of Christ. Much grace may well be needed to discharge such a duty!
I have on occasions had to ask myself the probing question of what my hidden agenda was in regard to what I was doing. I am aware of some of the shortcomings of my own heart. Our hearts are constantly being tested it seems;
» I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. (1Ch 29:17)
There is something in my heart that every so often, longs for profile and recognition. What I am discovering, very slowly, is that in my giftedness that my self esteem needs can only ever be met by recognising the truth and humbling myself before the One I serve. It is always good to remember;
» “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favour“. Pro 3:34
» “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1Pe 5:5
The latter verse is where Rick Joyner has taken his “mantle of humility” teaching from - out of context to the scriptures, but interesting application nonetheless.
That truth that I need to visit regularly, is that I am in Christ, forgiven, accepted and loved. That is a real source of lasting and undivided humility.
Nothing I do will make God ever love me more than He already does. Soberingly, nothing I ever do will make Him love me less either. What an amazing Lord!
So what is my hidden agenda? /view
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