EQ with Lou

Believe it or not,

• Most of them didn’t ask for the cup they are  carrying.

  •If they had asked for it, they would have chosen not to endure the distress. This distress comes with the formation necessary to carry the cup.

•   The isolation.
•   The correction.
•   The cuts.
•   The compassion.
•   The depression.
•   The weight. 

As much as it “looks” like a glorified stage– the process of sharpening and correction that comes with being a shepherd or a teacher to the people of God- is one of the most humbling & misunderstood processes often NOT talked about.

The process of truly dying to yourself is significant. The desires of your own heart can sometimes cause you to reconsider your own life. You start questioning whether the pain is worth the promise. 

 This doesn’t mean that they lack faith. It means that they HAVE faith in the promises unseen or unrealized. They are aware of the INCREASED weight of glory of God. The process of becoming completely yielded to God is often misunderstood. It is unrealized by those who don’t share the same office.

The Space Between

To stand among men in a prostrate or kneeling position requires a total death of the person you once knew. A time when you must look in the opposite direction & thus meet God AT the end of yourself…

  Momentarily suspended between man and God is the space in-between. It is a difficult yet essential space. This space facilitates a total yield. It helps to tolerate and withstand the pressure of the anointing without it crushing you. 

Many aren’t offered or allowed safe spaces to grow while publicly being pushed to meet the needs of others. This creates a paradoxical experience between expectation and realization. The difference between the two often not accurately expressed in language to translate the breadth of the moment. 

  Many are falling, have fallen, and have been completely crushed. This happens before the very body that claims to honor God. It insists on pushing the weight and responsibility of their soul salvation on THIS leader. The leader didn’t ask for the cup or the formation. This formation comes from a completely yielded heart.

Misplaced Responsibility

  Every believer has the responsibility to look to God as their source. They should not rely on the teacher or shepherd placed before them.

  EVERY community that looks to God as source has a responsibility. They must honor the members placed within them. This includes the leader, the teacher, the greeter, the child, the man, and the woman.

  We’ve lost sight of the fact that the body can’t function without the correct orientation of the heart.

  The heart perceives and knows more than it lets on including the weight of the moment and the mantle. 

Often times the pastor is the shepherd, the one whose heart carries the burden for their flock. Far too many are willing to let this pastor -shepherd -do so. They do this without ever giving back to them. They also do not accept accountability for their own burdens.

  God has already identified the parts of the body of believers. But, the body has forgotten its role and purpose. 

 Let this acknowledge the misplaced weight of the current state. Each of us should consider our heart’s orientation. Think on the space where God met us, shaped us, and defined us. 

In the body presently we see:

  –> The greeter brings and exhibits joy & a spirit of unity all while- at times- feeling excluded…

 –> The media team is responsible for translating the message given all while concurrently wrestling with their own message and relationship-

   –> The usher is responsible for many things. They cover, pray, and often act as a midwife at the altar while they themselves NEED the altar.

  The prophet is responsible for giving the word of God in truth and spirit. They must also exhort, encourage, or edify others. At the same time, they themselves need to be built up, encouraged, or consoled themselves.

  The teacher has the responsibility to teach the lesson. At the same time, they receive the lesson. Often, they give of themselves before they’ve given to themselves.

  The child brings the curiosity, wonder, & the representation of each of us before we were persuaded by the world.

  God himself, in all his infinite wisdom, determines and assigns the cup. He knows the gifts within each of us. He understands the capacity of our cups! 

This is a call to action for the body- the ecclesia:

  Return to right alignment with God.

 •Apostles- return to pioneering! 

 •Prophets- return to prophesying that which God placed in your belly!

  •Evangelist- return to proclaiming the gospel- the greatest love story known to man!

  •Pastor- return to caring for & guarding the flock and shepherding the body!

  •Teacher- return to the grounding work of the word of God !

People of God, understand a crucial fact. Those who are called out and given these roles have undergone a transformation. This change cannot be seen! It was absolutely necessary for their process to be uncomfortable. It needed to be completed and covered during the transition. This was essential for them to fully die to themselves and their desires. They needed to have hearts that are in alignment with the heart of God.

God chose them to do what they do. They are in the midst of their own transformation process. This process takes them from who they thought they were to who they are becoming!

Before they are what you see, they are all of what you don’t see!

The responsibility of the body in this?

Support them! Love them! Pray for them and their family! Do NOT give them authority over your life that is misplaced! Why? Because they, TOO, are flesh and blood with the same human liabilities that we have. They are NOT God and they are NOT responsible for your relationship with God. Do NOT elevate them beyond what God has told you to! Honor them without becoming too common with them. They are NOT common & THAT is intentional. Most of all, love them. Love them WELL.

In the words of the bible: 

1 Timothy 5:17-18 states that they are worthy of double honor!

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 states that recognition is to be given to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly because of their work.

Romans 15:30 shows us that we are to pray fervently for them! 

Hebrews 13:17 tells us to obey leaders and submit to them since they keep watch over your soul so that they can do so with you and NOT grief!

They are walking around as imitators of Jesus Christ who was perfect AND they are doing so as imperfect people.