Stewardship, the Blessing that Bears the Soul

To me, stewardship is a blessing that bares the soul.  I mean by that, one doesn't know what areas are still under old ownership and haven't been fully released to the Master until they are threatened in some way.  To the degree I get angry, frustrated and fearful is the degree that I have kept areas for myself   What happens to them could possibly destroy me in some way and my soul is bared.

When I have truly become the Steward and not the owner, my soul is not so disturbed by events and people.  Stress, anger, and pride arise without my permission  because I have taken back ownership which makes me vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.  Fear of scarcity, loss, failure, image and  condemnation can keep me awake and crush my energy and creativity.  The only antidote for me is the Word which re-establishes the Reality in which I live.  With Love and Truth, I can now look at the threats objectively, and review/remember all the ways The Master has provided, sheltered and led me so lovingly.  By this the enemy of my soul is defeated.

Today, I caught a glimpse of a truth I've not applied before.  Mark 8:31 begins with Jesus predicting his death and resurrection with these words, "The Son of Man must suffer may things, must be rejected by all the authorities, must be killed so that he can rise again in 3 days.  What caught my attention is the Word, must be rejected, because I have had the fear of rejection - fear of men's opinons of me - all fueled by a co-dependent life for many years.  In spite of much approval and admiration by many authorities, I was wounded enough by a few to discount the positive.

This is my new thought.  The rejection by the authorities, the suffering and death were all very directive to the resurrection.  In other words, rejection had a purpose because it directed the completion of God's plan for His Son.  I have always said that the story of my life would be entitled, "How God Kept Me Small".  As I rethink that in the light of Mark 8:31, I see how the Lord even used my fear of rejection as directional  - channeling my gifts and energies into developing the Blessing House instead of the other big dreams.  The "mustness" of Jesus suffering through rejection  released His life into the whole of the world, thus completing the Father's plan.  So, I believe there was a "must" in my life experiences that was directional and necessary for me to become the Steward of the Blessing House and its ministry.