Who is on your throne? 👑

↩️UNFOLLOW University — October 13, 2023

Happy Friday!

No matter your religious background, you have probably seen references to God as a Father, a King or a Shepherd. But what about a lion?

Lions have the loudest roar in the world. The sound can be heard more than 5 miles away and is a universal sign of strength and ownership. Lions roar for two primary reasons:

To warn their family to stay alert
To warn their enemies to stay away

Both responses are acts of leadership.

Earlier this week, I taught a lesson about what it means when a lion is roaring at us, not for us. When the lion is roaring to warn others about you.

What happens when you are the enemy?

🤯 Radical Truth

Compassion and correction are equals, not opposites.

To lead well is to embrace compassion and correction as equals instead of opposites. Good leadership looks more like serving others than being served.

The Father who protects is also the one who punishes. The King who commands is also the one who judges. The Shepherd who cares is also the one who corrects.

Is it a requirement? Nope.

We all have a list of leaders and managers who do quite well for themselves despite ignoring warnings, dismissing cultural dangers and prioritizing power over people. In fact, we often celebrate these behaviors in books, awards and articles as if self-interest was a status symbol.

But just because it’s being done doesn’t mean it’s working. Everyone has a throne. Every day we get a chance to choose who sits on it.

When I rely on money, my throne is materialism.
When I rely on morals, my throne is legalism.
When I rely on performance, my throne is workism.
When I rely on nationality, my throne is nationalism.
When I rely on disbelief, my throne is atheism.

Everyone has a religion. Every decision is building our reliance on something. What we rely on becomes our religion.

If being preoccupied with self is the surest way to stay on your own throne then serving others is the quickest way to get off.

Acceptance is a great first step. Give others the grace you need to receive. Resist the idea that power and control are substitutes for success. Reject systems and decisions that secure profit by taking advantage of people, especially when it’s “always been done” that way.

Is the lion roaring at you or for you?

*I look like a big kid who just ate at Burger King. (The Well Church*)

⚡️Courageous Question

Who is on your throne? What do you rely on for power and control?

🗣 Wonderful Words

“A man may build himself a throne of bayonets, but he cannot sit on it.”

— William Ralph Inge

🙏🏽 Prayer Package

God, we can’t lose your love but we can forfeit your favor. Open my ears to your correction so I may stay in your protection and peace. Create in me a pure heart that does not conform to self-interest or comfort. Today, topple my throne so you alone can guide and guard my path. Amen.

📖 Romans 14:10-13

🎵 Take My Life (Holiness) - Micah Stampley 🤍