Others May, You Cannot

by Michael

24 comments on “Others May, You Cannot”

  1. insanitybytes22 says:
    June 4, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    Wow, that was just awesome, Michael. That’s it exactly. This really resonated,

    “He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.”

    I can’t tell you how many times I have lamented how unfair that is, and yet I am starting to catch on, it is beginning to make sense. There’s a deliberate calling around being an outlier, set apart.

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    • Michael says:
      June 4, 2016 at 9:45 pm

      Yes, Gabrielle, I fought against the restraining hand of God while trying to make that system work for me as well. Others could make it work, but HE would not allow me to walk that path. As I look back so many years later, I am glad He didn’t. I am happy that this post was such a help for you, dear sister.

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      • devon leesley says:
        June 6, 2016 at 3:05 pm

        Elders are manifest by their character and their maturity in the things of God. They do not flaunt them nor do thy wave a banner ‘Look at ME!!’ They are obscure servants that set an example. They support the poor, in fact their heart bleeds for the needy. They are not given to avarice nor do they desire filthy lucre.
        They are given to teaching and guiding not controlling and demanding. They seek not a pedestal or pulpit or podium. They do not take, they give, as all the body parts are taught to do, esteeming others greater than themselves. They do not wish for a personal following but they instruct others to follow Christ.
        They deplore recognition and applause. They abhor presents and gifts. They shudder at the thought of any allegiance to them personally. They tremble at the prospect of favoritism being lavished on them by the ‘body’. Double honor is theirs for teaching well and their commitment to study but they would prefer to forgo that acknowledgment.
        These are the marks of true servant-hood and eldership. These are the fruits of the truly qualified leader. They look not for the lime-light but seek the Lamb-light as their reward. Nothing on this dismal earth appeals to them. Nothing can tempt them or buy them. Slander is their food and reproach is their mainstay. Rejection by religionists is their meat and their daily diet. To be accepted by the glitter and pomp and success of modern Christendom is anathema to their spirit.
        Their joy is to be girded about with a simple apron and on their knees tending to the weary and the castaways, the unlovely, the forsaken, the unwashed, all those who are forgotten at the ‘church house’ door, nay but rather are disdained at the ‘church house’ door.
        They quake at the thought of being called Master, Pastor, Reverend or Apostle. They prefer to just be called brother, a tender to the needs of others.
        They know they have an everlasting bounty waiting in heaven, a reward they feel not worthy to receive, but still the only reward they desire is to hear from the lips of the only true Master, Pastor, Reverend ‘well done thou good and faithful servant’. Their daily rapture is to see the children of men set free from the curses this earth imparts to it’s captives.
        This is their very life. Others finding solace in the Saviour. Redemption in the Redeemer. To find their place and joy in Jesus.
        To be hid in Him and the stench of their own ways and inclinations and religious dreams burned away as the chaff they are.
        Are you looking for a leader? Look hard and long for it may take a while before you come upon him or her, who has discovered this secret path of service. In fact they may not even be where you would expect them for they are not welcome nor are they even given the time of day in most circles we call Christendom. They may not be comely. They may not have money, this latter being a prerequisite for acceptance in most ‘churches’ for ministry. They may not have anyone down here taking notice of their service, but heaven is watching with sheer delight this lonely worker. Hell is raging because of the same.
        The ‘church’ needs them but they know not of this character, this simplicity of servant-hood. Congregants may hear of these attributes preached on a weekly basis yet not take and handle them experientially. I guess words are cheap as the saying goes. Hear it taught but see it not. How deceived can we be? How far have we fallen. How cheap have we made the gospel and the followers thereof? Then they ship this fruit world wide to make others 2 fold the devils they are.
        I say to the hirelings ‘Let my people go!’ I say to the folks ‘Quit financing this farce that we have so diluted.’ I say further to the folks, ‘pray that God would raise up these true leaders that are after His heart.’ Few there will be that can fit this bill. Few there will be that will dare surrender to this point. God help us! devon and kathy

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      • Michael says:
        June 6, 2016 at 6:37 pm

        Yes, Devon and Kathy, true elders who manifest the humility of Christ are hard to find and they will be the last persons to claim the title of “elder” to themselves, as a result those who are more brash and sell themselves are chosen by the immature that make up most churches.

        Thanks for your sharing your missive with us,

        Michael

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Anna Waldherr says:
    June 4, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    A beautiful and moving piece, Michael. I will treasure this. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Michael says:
      June 5, 2016 at 4:35 am

      Thank you, Anna. I think that there are many of God’s kids who are of low to no profile in this world that can identify with what this man wrote. The way of the cross is NOT a popularity contest and understanding that has helped me a lot. I KNOW that you are one of His, dear sister and are His hidden treasure. ❤

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      • Anna Waldherr says:
        June 5, 2016 at 5:07 pm

        You bring tears to my eyes, Michael. God bless you.

        Liked by 3 people

      • totellthetruth1962 says:
        June 6, 2016 at 5:51 am

        I think that there are many of God’s kids who are of low to no profile in this world that can identify with what this man wrote.

        I know I must be one of those. I had to wait to get to my destination before I could really take the time to read this and respond.

        Wow Yes I can relate. Others can but I cannot. I used to wonder why I couldn’t. Then I just quit wondering. I just said to Him and myself, whatever Your will is for me then so be it. I am not supposed to be in the limelight. I was not meant to be rich or financially secure.

        My journey leaving Florida this time and for good, in which it was of a situation others can but I cannot. I am not meant to have a certain lifestyle of the luxuries in this world. My payment was an old mini van with no air conditioning. That was torture! The heat and my poor cat Isaiah! LOL Isaiah what a great sport just a panting and drooling. But along the journey I was supremely blessed. My needs were met. Waffle House allowed me to let me bring my cat in the back of the restaurant to cool him off. Me too as I was getting lightheaded. The nobodies of this world treat the other nobodies of this world way far better than the somebodies.

        Another miraculous ordeal was that my roommate told me last that she was hoping I would find her ad about her room being available. Neat huh? I was here for a year before being disrupted last October. I have so much gratitude. And the temperature dropped 20 degrees compared to Florida. Ahhh. Isaiah is happy too with his freedom from mommy keeping him an indoor prisoner. LOL He looked at me and said really? You are going to let me outside and go for kitty walks again? Simplicity without the demands. But I have just arrived so let’s see how this plays out. One day at a time. My van is very strong. What a prophetic journey I was on.

        So thank you Michael. This was a great post. Thank You Lord for seeing to my needs!

        Liked by 2 people

      • Michael says:
        June 6, 2016 at 7:09 pm

        Stacey, I am glad that you made it to your destination safely. You said something that is so true, “The nobodies of this world treat the other nobodies of this world way far better than the somebodies.” Yes, I have found that the most generous people are those who have little in this world. Jesus found this to be true as well (see Luke 21:1-4).

        Thanks for writing,
        Michael

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  3. Pamela says:
    June 5, 2016 at 3:09 am

    Hi Michael! I’ve heard this before and yet never tire of reading it again and again! It is a healthy place to be, to not fret about what others are doing (“But what about him, Lord?”) or strive to change them, but to simply walk out our own salvation with that joyful fear and trembling walk that is so precious to Him. Thank you for sharing this encouragement today. Love! 🙂

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    • Michael says:
      June 5, 2016 at 4:53 am

      Hi Pam,
      You are welcome. It is good to hear from you again. I am with you — every time Father prompts me to read this I see where He has taken me a bit further along the path Watson describes. The last two and a half years have been one of those times of Him taking me another step or two further into more obscurity and less popularity. As I read the following this time I could really relate, “The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, and with a jealous love rebuke you for careless words and feelings…” The fellowship in the Spirit that He has given me along the way has been used to drive this home.

      I am glad you have been encouraged, dear sister. Give each other a hug for me. ❤

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  4. amongtheforgotten says:
    June 5, 2016 at 6:39 am

    Makes me cry tears of joy every time I read this. For me its a reminder that I don’t need answers to all the things in my life I don’t understand, I simply need to continue to trust that behind the scenes He is working eternity in my heart as He is in others. This is not blind faith as some quip, but rather a special ongoing abiding relationship we ought to treasure, a pearl if you would, to be sought daily, shared with others and to which no other treasure could possibly compare. Do you and I really believe the following?

    Hope is in Him:

    “Jesus has presented Himself to humanity as the solution to all mankind will ever need and desire. Not what Jesus can do, but Jesus Christ Himself”

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    • Michael says:
      June 6, 2016 at 4:39 am

      Michael F., yes, if we are IN Christ we have all we need for “in Him we live and move and have our being.” As we rest in Him we then can hear His voice and share with others as He wills from His great grace given us to do so, not from our own compulsion to be heard or seen. What a difference that makes. Thanks for your comments, my brother.

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  5. Susanne Schuberth (Germany) says:
    June 5, 2016 at 7:11 am

    Wow!! Michael, that description of how our walk with the Lord has been fits like a glove! ☆ Ouchee!! However, these seemingly negative things can be observed from the outside only. Our internal man, instead, may rejoice in the permanent presence of God in our whole life as we already live in heaven with Him, enjoying His eternal life and love. So why bother about earthly riches, honor, and man’s approval if we truly can be sure of having HIS approval now and forever? ♧

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  6. Ken Dawson says:
    June 5, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Yes I am with what Pamela said in her comment!

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  7. Pat Orr says:
    June 5, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Thank you, Michael, for the blog. The Apostle Paul said that when we compare ourselves with ourselves we are not wise. I have proven over and over that he is right. Why should we think that how God is dealing with others is the pattern for all? Truly, we have a personal relationship with the Father. I value my relationship with the Father, and I need to keep my eyes on Him.

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    • Michael says:
      June 6, 2016 at 4:53 am

      Very good application of that verse, Pat! Sad to say that I have compared myself most of my life either to highly visible ministries wondering why I was not like them or to the low down-and- outters, proud that I was not like one of theses. Arg!!! God’s only measuring stick is His son, Jesus Christ, and He only gives us grace to grow up IN Him not in others. Why settle for less? Christ is our sufficiency in ALL things and we find that sufficiency as we rest in Him. God bless you, dear sister. ⭐

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  8. wayne says:
    June 8, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    Amen michael- the watson article is a timely piece. i posted it a few days ago on facebook , without seeing your post ,and people were saying it was what they needed for this time. ~ wayne

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  9. Russ Cantrell says:
    June 22, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    Oh, what a struggle it is to give him my all. Such an intense set of contradictions within me. Parts of me scream that they don’t want to die and make me feel that I can not live without them. Yet, I want them dead. They must die. How else will I walk with my God. I almost faint at the thought of always living for him and yet I don’t want “Me” to be in-between my relationship with him. I don’t know of anything more satisfying than a relationship with him. I know that cannot depend on myself with this but he has said that I can depend on him to have it.

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  10. Michael says:
    June 22, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Russ, What you shared in your honesty about “Me” (the red lizard) getting in between us and God reminded me of a dialogue I once read in a book by C. S. Lewis called “The Great Divorce.” What a battle we have…

    In his book, The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis tells of a busload of people who travel to heaven on their way to take up residence in hell. These people appear thin and almost ghost-like in the robust atmosphere of heaven, and most of them immediately flee back to the comfort of their bus. One Ghost, who is plagued by a talkative red lizard (representing the power of sin and lust) that sits on his shoulder, ventures out into the plains of heaven and encounters an angel. Lewis describes their meeting, which is a parable of God’s invitation to break the power of sin in our life and to transform it into something for his glory:

    A mighty angel approached the man and asked, “Would you like me to make the lizard quiet?”

    “Of course I would,” said the Ghost.

    “Then I will kill him,” said the Angel, taking a step forward.

    “Oh—ah—look out! You’re burning me. Keep away,” said the Ghost, retreating.

    “Don’t you want him killed?”

    “You didn’t say anything about killing him at first. I hardly meant to bother you with anything so drastic as that.”

    “It’s the only way,” said the Angel …. “Shall I kill it?”

    “Look! It’s gone to sleep of its own accord. I’m sure it’ll be all right now. Thanks ever so much.”

    “May I kill it?”

    “Honestly, I don’t think there’s the slightest necessity for that. I’m sure I shall be able to keep it in order now. Some other day, perhaps.”

    “There is no other day ….”

    “Get back! You’re burning me. How can I tell you to kill it? You’d kill me if you did.”

    “It is not so.”

    “Why, you’re hurting me now.”

    “I never said I wouldn’t hurt you. I said it wouldn’t kill you.”

    [Suddenly] the Lizard began chattering loudly: “Be careful,” it said. “He can do what he says. He can kill me. One fatal word from you and he will! Then you’ll be without me for ever and ever. I’ll be so good. I admit I’ve sometimes gone too far in the past, but I promise I won’t do it again ….”

    “Have I your permission?” said the Angel to the Ghost.

    “You’re right. It would be better to be dead than to live with this creature.”

    “Then I may?”

    “Blast you! Go on can’t you? Get it over,” bellowed the Ghost: but ended, whimpering, “God help me. God help me.”

    Next moment the Ghost gave a scream of agony such as I never heard. The Burning One closed his crimson grip on the reptile: twisted it, while it bit and writhed, and then flung it, broken backed, on the turf.

    Then I saw, unmistakably solid but growing every moment solider, the Ghost materialize into a man, not much smaller than the Angel.

    At the same moment something seemed to be happening to the Lizard. At first I thought the operation had failed. So far from dying, the creature was still struggling and even growing bigger as it struggled. And as it grew it changed. Suddenly I stared back, rubbing my eyes. What stood before me was the greatest stallion I have ever seen, silvery white but with mane and tail of gold.

    The man, now free from his torment, climbed upon the stallion that had been his sin and rode into the glowing sunrise towards the Savior.

    Adapted from C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (HarperCollins, 2009), pp. 106-112; submitted by Bill White, Paramount, California
    http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2011/october/3103111.html

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