Restoring RelationshipsSample

Keep It Down  

While I watched a famous Mafia movie, I noticed that, when life-and-death decisions were made, the godfather did not shout, jump up and down, or even turn red. He usually spoke just above a whisper. I have noticed people who are really in charge do not have to go through a bunch of gyrations to get results. All they have to do is say the word.

In Matthew 8, a Roman soldier says to Jesus, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I, myself, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” In other words, this soldier understood power. He didn’t need to see a lightning bolt or feel the ground shake. He just needed the word spoken from someone who had the authority.

This truth really hit home for me when the Lord spoke to me after getting frustrated with my two children. He said, “If you have authority, you do not have to yell.” Oops. Our society likes to put emphasis on those who make calls, give orders, and exhibit the “Type A,” dominant characteristics of a leader. However, this isn’t the leadership model we see in the Bible.

At the last supper, Jesus said, “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” The Son of God, who had more authority than anyone else, demonstrated and solidified it by washing His disciples’ feet. Let’s reframe our concept of authority, and how it is played out, as we lead our families.