~By: Susanna Kozlow~
"But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor - Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you." John 14:26 AMP
What would we do if God removed every platform He had given us? What if he decided today, “I’m going to take it all away. Now, all you have is ME.”? What if today we weren’t part of any leadership in our churches or organizations or ministries? Would we know that spreading the Good News would still be a command for our lives? Would Jesus’ guidance be enough? Would the power of the Holy Spirit be enough? Would God’s Word be enough? Or, are we so dependent on others to open a door for us, even though JESUS has already done so? I believe we serve a God of grace and patience. But, I can’t help but stop and wonder, ‘what if?’ Would we still be influential for God’s Kingdom? Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe that God will place someone in a position of influence so that the gifts He has given them will be able to be used. But, the scary part is, if we are not careful, we may forget WHY God has placed us there in the first few place. That’s why it’s vital to know that God will use you TODAY, no matter where you stand. His mission doesn’t change. Jesus’ mission doesn’t change. The applause of man comes so far secondary from the praise of our Heavenly Father.
Scripture tells us that Paul was in prison, in chains, and spoke of Jesus in his cell to his guards. His boldness influenced many believers. They saw him as a BOLD Christ follower, and he was influential - in prison! I believe that those who heard he was in chains and still spoke about Jesus were probably shocked, and it created a boldness in them. Why? Because no matter his situation, he was FAITHFUL. He knew the power in him was not his own. It was the HOLY SPIRIT in him.
Imagine if we had this boldness! Envision what it would be like if we had the boldness to know our existence will be influential to others when our power and strength come from the Holy Spirit and when our hearts always remain teachable and faithful to Him.
Today, I thought of the women’s ministry I was blessed to be part of when I first surrendered my life to Jesus. I thought about the sinking feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when the brick and mortar walls we gathered in came to an end. I couldn’t help but wonder, “What do we do now?” I reflected on the courage of a woman who heard what God said and moved forward in faith. What I didn’t know then, is that that step allowed so many to not only talk about their faith, but to actually walk in their faith. It created a boldness in so many to take their positions as followers of Christ. Today, that ministry is thriving more than ever! There were so many that had their platforms removed and were forced to go forth with all they had learned and trained in to make disciples. God’s Word and BOLDNESS from the Holy Spirit were their launching pad.
So today, I ask, would you be okay to go out and walk the walk of Jesus? Would you be able to gather in the name of Jesus? Would you take the time to notice others for Jesus? No matter your circumstances, would you still be a fierce and faithful disciple? Or, if a position or platform was removed from you, would your mission for Jesus die with it? Would you be lost in the midst?
There is so much influence for God’s Kingdom we can all take part in. We just have to step up right where we are. We have to remember first and foremost that we belong to the Kingdom of God, and we are heirs to the Most High, and any organization, program, or platform is secondary. We take all of Jesus’ commands seriously - not just a few - we take them ALL.
“Would we be okay to go out and make disciples if it was not dependent on performances, programs, or professions?” -David Platt
