God Governance and Self Leadership

UV 1492/10,000 God Governance and Self Leadership
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
Habakuk 1 v 14

Good governance is no substitute for God governance. When Jesus and the Holy Spirit rule over us, we have no need for an earthly ruler. We will instinctively like the fish of the sea go in the right direction and be able to successfully negotiate any storm in our lives. Jesus is the model of humanity, divinity and leadership for every one of us. When we think like Jesus, we will also feel, act and live like Him. No more fight or flight but we will flow and overflow with peace, grace and power. Jesus taught us all the leadership lessons we need. He came into the earth from His heavenly home with one purpose- to save mankind. We too should identify one purpose for which we live. In this sense, we should not be like the fish, the reptiles, ants and all other creatures – that have only one purpose to exist as long as possible or survival. Jesus showed us that while the fittest among us can only survive like the fish, the ants and other creatures, the faithful thrive. We will not be tempted by the bait of the enemy of our souls. We will not be caught in the snare of his nets. We will open our mouths like fish all the time to praise God and the Lord will fill it. He will fill our mouths with good news to share and great news to break. He will not withhold any good thing from us.

Jesus showed us how to be humble and gentle. He taught us to be loving and forgiving. He set an example of serving others. He washed His disciples’ feet. He had compassion on the sick and suffering. He wept for His dead friend Lazarus. He is the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting King, Prince of Peace. He rules over us not with fear and intimidation but with love and peace. He accomplished His purpose on earth and in heaven. He revealed the loving nature of the Father. He transplanted the DNA or divine nature in mankind. He taught us the value of faith, how faith can help us surmount the greatest barriers and problems in our lives. He pointed us to the perfection and beauty of holiness of the Father and asked us to be likewise perfect and holy, to be set apart for God. He taught us to have the unity of a school of fish so that we move in a synchronised and united way.

The Holy Spirit is the ruler the Lord Jesus sent to us, to abide with us and in us. He is the counsellor, the comforter, the remembrancer. He reminds us and prompts us. He guides and leads us into all truths. We receive gifts of character and power from the Holy Spirit. He will teach us to be wise, to learn from everything and every word that is spoken to us. We will learn to work hard in summer and prepare for the winter of our lives like the ants that have no leader, guide or overseer. Most of the time right through history and even today, most human beings cannot lead themselves let alone others. They end up living a double life- one meant for the eyes of the public and one that is lived in private. Jesus and the Holy Spirit teach us and instruct us in self leadership. Jesus is the One who holds us together and integrated as one even as the joints and ligaments hold the body together. He taught us to be anchored in the Holy Spirit. Every day as I feed the fish in our little acquarium, I see them rushing to feed on the tiny pellets of fish food. Similarly, we should rush and feed on the Word the Holy Spirit speaks into our souls. The food that the fish feed on gives them energy while the Word we feed on gives us strength and direction, confidence and hope. So much so, we have no need for an earthly leader or ruler like the fish and the ants.

Prateep V Philip