So… I’ve been reminiscing again.
This time about a geology field trip to Dorset, teaching some students. Although not completely in charge, I did have considerable authority. Which got me thinking… I’m not sure I handled my position terribly well (I’ll let you decide).
Thank goodness we have access to the One with ultimate authority (Matt 28:18) and can go to Him in time of need. When we mess up we can go to Him, say sorry and be forgiven for our mistakes.
That field trip in Dorset was just one time I didn’t act in the best way.
Read on to see:
- What happened
- What I learned from the experience
- How we can all come to Jesus knowing His authority is solid, reliable and true
Geology fieldwork, it’s good for a laugh
So, on that trip to Dorset, as the students were busily creating their field sketches of sea cliffs and surrounds, I thought I’d inject a bit of fun. Nothing wrong with that. So I said, “You see that triangular cliff over there with a cloud hovering over the top? It’s a volcano.” And it really did look like that from a distance – a classic cone-shaped mound with ash apparently billowing from the top.
Ok, so it was really layers of sandstone and mudstone with a low raincloud above. But I thought the students would know that. And this was a good time for them to astound me with their geological knowledge and explain what they could actually see. But the number of them that started labelling it as a volcano you would not believe!
Now, before you judge me too harshly, please understand that these students should have known better having spent the last year learning about the geology of the UK. I expected a response like, “Don’t be daft, there are no active volcanoes here!” followed by laughter. But nope. They studiously took in what I said and got drawing.
The result?
I had to grovel and admit it was a joke. Hm.
Fortunately they liked me, so all was forgiven and we had a laugh after all. But it did make me think… We should be careful how we use our authority.
If only one or two students had believed me, they might have been really embarrassed to get such an ‘obvious’ thing wrong. It could have undermined their trust in me as a teacher and their learning experience would have been spoiled.
Or what if I’d forgotten to tell them it was a joke and everyone went away thinking they’d seen an active volcano that day?!
Jesus’ authority is our authority
Fortunately Jesus’ authority is not like me playing a joke on some students.
We can totally trust Him:
“All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true…” – Psalm 111:7-8 (NLT)
And even better, when we’ve accepted Christ as our saviour and been filled with His Holy Spirit, we have the same authority as Him:
“The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works…” – John 14:12 (NLT)
Wow!
When we learn to use our God-given authority as Jesus intended, we’ll see truly miraculous things, e.g.:
“These miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them.” – Mark 16:17-18 (TPT)
I for one am thankful that Christ has entrusted me with His power. It’s a privilege to be a conduit for His mighty works.
Once I realised just how amazing this is, it totally changed my outlook. On the one hand we have great responsibility – the power in us is the same power that brought Christ back from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). But on the other hand, it’s comforting to know we have the power of the One who created the universe on tap whenever we need it.
However you feel about it, when you exercise His authority legitimately people will notice and be impacted. Whether they admit it or not.
So go on… trust Him. Accept Christ’s authority and power today, and see what happens.
God bless xx