Blessed

In Matthew 5:12, Jesus commands us to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad” when we are persecuted. I was privileged, this week, to experience a minor persecution. Some of the students with whom I interact have been confronted a number of times by me. They have noted that I, as well as other mentors, tend to used the word “integrity” to cast a vision of challenging them to righteousness. This has received an angry reaction from this generation who does not love discipline, nor does it embrace authority. They have taken a particular disliking to me because of my close proximity to them as a student-Mentor. Thus, one day this week, I found a cut-out of the word “integrity” over the name plate at my mailbox. It mockingly “Integrity Bobbitt.” While I am aware that someone did this with a spiteful spirit, I realized immediately that it was not myself whom they attacked. Whomever chose to resist to the point of backlashing, has a problem with authority. This means, that if the authority over him/her is godly, he/she has a problem, ultimately, with God. This grieves my heart. I long to see these students, these young men and women walking before the Lord in wholeness and surrender. When one belongs to the Lord, it requires abandonment of fleshly reactions to spiritual matters.

On the other hand, this is very exciting for me as a shepherd and a leader. When I challenge the flesh in someone, this brings and abrasion like sand paper, refining wood. If your flesh bites back, that means that I am being effective. I can tell that there is something stirring inside you which is causing you to react. It may seem negative at first. But the Holy Spirit is bringing conviction. Praise Jesus! I love these kids. I am praying night and day for their growth and the empowering of Spirit in their hearts. Please join me in asking for revival in the church. I am exceedingly glad to be used of the Lord, whether I am loved or hated by men.

At the beginning of this year, I told my girls that my idea of discipleship was just what Jesus did. He said "come follow me" and required that they the world behind. I believe I used the phrase, "I will kill you." It is my calling to go hard after the Lord, to point to Jesus and show them how to die daily to the lusts of the flesh (you can imagine how much this has required me to change before the Lord - you may only take your disciples where you, yourself have already been). My girls are waking up. I am amazed at the maturity the Lord is already bringing in their lives. They're becoming disciples. And Jesus is rocking my world with them.