elder rules

An elder is a person who is valued for wisdom and holds a position of responsibility and authority in a Christian group. 

I don't believe that we are all called to be elders of the church, but I do believe that we should have the same standards as they do. It's like an executive board for a large corporation...all the employees should follow the same rules as the board does, but they might not ever get that opportunity to be on the board.

These positions of authority are things that we should strive to be a part of. I don't feel like I know enough to be an elder in a church, and I feel like my life is not what an elders life would look like. But I want to be like an elder and have wisdom that can help people.

There was one thing in particular that I came across this morning when I was reading Titus 1 about qualities elders should have.

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. (Titus 1:6)

What stuck out to me was this: not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 

There are parts of me that like some of the things of this world that I know I really shouldn't. Sometimes I like to have wild thoughts, I like to listen to rap music, and sometimes I oddly enjoy thinking as the world would want me to and not God.

I don't like to admit that, but I just have to be honest. I wish I didn't think that way, or enjoy those things. I really don't. I know those things can make me feel a little wild instantly. Whereas with God, I know I have to be patient and sometimes I am not the most patient human.

The point is...to be someone who others look to for wisdom, encouragement, and love, you have to rid yourself from the ways of the world. It does't matter how much knowledge you have of the bible, the popularity you might have, or insanely good habits, if there is a part of you that is open to being wild and disobedient you are cheating yourself out of fulfillment.

So don't cheat yourself. Honestly, I feel like I cheat myself daily.

If you are someone who still has a part of you open to being wild and disobedient, I promise you aren't alone. I am right there with you. I don't like that I am like that, but I also know that I am not perfect.

I would love to not be open to that idea and I hope you feel the same way. Let's commit to relying on God to fulfill all our hopes, dreams, and desires. Let's be believers that people turn to for wisdom, encouragement, and love.

It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be worth it.