Welcome to the Set Your Mind Above podcast, where every day, ordinary events teach us extraordinary eternal truths! I am your host BJ Sipe, and I’m so glad you’ve tuned in today! I am excited to share my life & my faith with you, and I sure hope you’ll do the same with me along the way.

Well, if you are listening to this on the day of its release, I am currently out on an adventure with my wonderful wife Kylie. As I stated earlier in the week, Kylie had planned a birthday celebration for me this weekend just the two of us. We don’t exactly know what we are even going to do, and we might very well be driving around without a destination at this very moment. The important part is that we are together, just the two of us, for some much-needed uninterrupted time together. This is a big step for the two of us, because it will be the very first time that we are completely away from both the kids for the night. While normally most parents would be nervous to do something like that, we are actually not nervous at all. That is because someone that we love with all of our heart is watching our children for us – our dear friend Emily. In fact, she’s known as “Aunt Emmy” in our house, and our daughter has especially been excited for her to come visit. While Emily will be set up with everything that she needs to care for the kids & have a list of back up numbers to call in case she needs help, those are merely a formality. We trust her with our kids as much as we would trust our own mothers with our children. She is kind, intelligent, gentle, and wonderful with children. To say she is qualified to take on a couple of days with our kids, even with one in a cast, would be an understatement. We really mean these things when we say them, because we would not just allow anyone to be entrusted with the care of our children. They are who we love most, and who we prize above all others in this whole world. So if we place our children in your care, it is probably the greatest compliment and symbol of trust that we could give. Of course, this is only temporary for a few days. We have had to reassure Ava that we are not just leaving her with Emily for good, but that we are coming back home the next day. Our poor little girl was crying about us leaving last night, clinging to our necks, saying, “But I need you,” as we discussed that mommy and daddy would be gone for one night. We’re coming back sweetie, and until then you are in the care of someone that will look after you like you were her own, and you need to obey her while we are gone. 

This scenario got me thinking about a very similar parallel that we find in Scripture. In following the biblical model, every local church ought to have the proper leadership in place as outline by the apostles. Those who are to lead and protect the church are called elders, and elsewhere are called shepherds and overseers. When Paul writes to Titus outlining this role, consider one last thing they are also called that is recorded in chapter 1 & verses 5-7. Paul writes, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach.” Jesus is the good shepherd, and we are his sheep. And yet, Jesus had to leave to return to his Father and go to prepare a place for us. In his absence, Jesus has placed such men as described in these passages in charge of the care of his church. As the text says, they are stewards, temporary overseers to watch over, protect, feed, and care for the children of God. This is why such strict requirements are set up as to who can serve in the office of an elder. God would not just place his children in the care of anyone. We are his most prized possession, the ones that he purchased with his own blood. If such men are to function as stewards over the souls of you and me, then they truly must be beyond approach in every area of their life. Certainly, these are not perfect men, but they are trustworthy and qualified to do this work. Just as we have instructed our children to obey Emily in our absence, so the children of God are called to be in submission to those whom the Holy Spirit has appointed as overseers. Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” I have seen churches destroyed by division & selfishness because the saints are unwilling to yield to the direction of their elders. And yet, to refuse to submit to the divinely appointed leadership of a local church is actually to refuse to submit to Jesus. If we are to submit to Christ, then we are to submit to our elders. Finally, this is temporary. One day Jesus is going to return to gather up the church & deliver us up to his Father. In what condition will he find the household of God when he returns? I pray that when he does, he will find good stewards and faithful children that have anxiously been awaiting his return. 

Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode. Tune in, Tuesday-Friday’s, as a new podcast episode will be uploaded each day. Also, be sure to follow the Facebook page for the Set Your Mind Above podcast for future announcements and weekly video sessions that are uploaded on Saturdays. As you have the opportunity, share these thoughts with your friends and family, and share with me what important lessons you are learning from every day, ordinary events. Until next time know that I love you, that God loves you, and may we all each and every day set our minds above!