THE 3 LEVELS OF RELATIONSHIP
- Those younger than you – These include your juniors at work, those younger than you in ministry, those younger than you in age, etc. Never be among the folks who think that those younger than you cannot correct. Don’t think because you have one “big man of God” that mentors you , no person younger to you in ministry can correct you. The Israeli slave girl directed Naaman to his healing. Paul corrected Peter. You cannot dictate to God who He will use to save you from a ditch.
- Those that are your mates – While you grow in life, there are those who happen to be your contemporary at different stages in life. These are people who can pick up their phones to correct you without needing to rehearse the words to use. These are cherished yoke fellows. Don’t scare them away with your anointing or the grace of God in your life. You need them to remain on your path in fulfilling destiny. Don’t intimidate them to start calling you “Papa,” or you will lose the godly counsels they are to bring to you
- Those above you – One grave thing about this is that you are the one that will decide those you think are above you. Don’t measure such men by the bigness of their ministry. These elders in faith may not have a ministry as large as yours, but you know that they have depths of fountains you can drink from. Don’t ever feel so anointed that you need no one to disciple you. These disciplers are people who can scold you and call you to order. They will ask to know how you are treating your wife. They will want to see your sermon notes to ensure you are still preaching correctly. They will want to see your quiet time notebook to ensure you are not just a pulpit man but also a man of the closet. Don’t let pride make you to be calling big television names you cannot access mentors when God is all these while showing you a man to submit to that is nearby. These disciplers will always be glad to see you blossom in ministry.
These said, ensure you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Remember, the great commission is to “go and make disciples of all men.” Don’t say it is God only that is discipling you; Jesus charged human disciples to make more human disciples .
If you keep these three levels of relationships, in addition to your relationship with the Holy Spirit, you will avoid many self-inflicted injuries, and you will never fall.
WISDOM IS KNOWN BY HER CHILDREN
Okezie Ugwa