Authority :: Trusting the Doc

   For most of my adult life I've gone to my doctor for a yearly check up. A little maintenance is a good thing, but sometimes maintenance leads to a little more follow up. Now here is one of the most interesting aspects of my relationship with my doctor, I don't always understand him: it’s as if he speaks what seems like a foreign language and though he writes in English, his prescription pad needs a Rosetta stone to be deciphered.  But I am in awe of him, how some words on a piece of paper will cause a response in so many differnt people.

   The doc orders test and exams and though he does not perform them, he receives the results and is able to discern an aspect of me that is hidden, something to be brought to light. He takes that which was hidden, but now known, and makes a decision on what I need to be made well. My doc picks up his prescription pad and writes a script which though I can read, I don't necessarily understand. I take that script to the pharmacy and wonder of wonders, it becomes filled.

Why?

   The authority of the doctor causes nurses to listen and pharmacist to fill the script. The reputation of the doctor brings confidence. Though I value the authority of the doc and his reputation, it is my trust in the doc which leads me to action. I trust him because I believe one simple truth, that the doctor wants me to be better.

   I trust the doctor; I trust the authority of the doctor. I trust that my doctor knows more than I do and knows how to resolve my issues. But here is the thing; I place my faith not just in his authority but also in his ability! So though I may not understand his means or his methods, I'm willing to act on his means and methods because I have faith that my doctor is able to do something others cannot do.

    As a result of my time with my doc, I have a new found insight into so many of the interactions of Jesus, many of the miracles of Jesus.  Matthew ch 8 is a brilliant example of one, a Roman centurion comes to Christ and testifies to the power found in authority   "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." Clearly this Roman is setting up the paradigm of Jesus’ authority. But Jesus does not commend the centurions understanding of Christ's authority but his faith in Christ's ability.

   We can know something to be true and still not be operating in faith. “Faith is sometimes as simple as acknowledging the authority; believing in the ability, and operating in that reality.”

Here are three questions that I’ve come to ask myself regarding my faith in Christ & would challenge you to ask them of yourself:

1.      Do I believe that Jesus has Authority?

2.      Do I trust that he wants the best for you?

3.      Do I have faith that He will do what only He can do?

If you answered yes to all three, than why not remove the “do” and turn those questions into declarative statements & start Trusting the Doc of Doc's today!