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Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
My favorite verse that gives me hope and helps me trust is Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
When people seem to get in the way of what God is trying to do, I get frustrated. When people take over my job, the task I've been trusted to do, I get frustrated. My column is very late this week because of so many reasons, but I have to remind myself that God is in control. No matter how much a Diotrephes tries to take over, God's work will be done because it is not by might, nor my power, but by His Spirit.
One of my very dear pastor friends pointed out to me John's description of a biblical bully--Diotrephes. 3 John 1:9.
How often have you seen pride and ambition take precedence in a church committee meeting? This is so opposite of Christ's character. Jesus said, those who are first will become last in the Kingdom. Manipulating God's children is wrong. Paul had a God-inserted thorn in his side to keep him from becoming puffed up in his own conceit. Sadly, a bully never accepts correction from anyone, as Diotrephes rejects even John's authority treating the missionaries with contempt.
This can happen to church members as well. I think the best thing to do in this situation is to put it all on God's altar and entreat Him to take care of the problem. No amount of talk to the prideful person will ever piece that armor unless God prepares the ground. As any farmer knows, the ground has to be broken for seeds to find nourishment and protection from the hot sun in order for those seeds to grow and produce fruit.
Brokeness is a sign of someone ready to be used of God.
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Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
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