To commemorate Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, each Morning Devotional for the month of June will highlight an important lesson of faith learned from a father or a father-like figure. We continue today with Elder Ellis Clayton ll and his father.
The power of suggestion is a subliminal distinction of presenting an idea, an image or behavior to others which then manifest itself in their reality. Psychologists use this to aid a patient in changing their behavior . Such is the power of a Christ-Like Personality or purpose in Life. A true Role Model has these humble but powerful traits that transcend our consciousness and our World, forcing us to re-examine ourselves for the better. Like Beauty, they grasp our attention, forcing us to attend it in awe. They lift Our Spirits by their mere existence and inspire in us the incomparable possibility of man, maximizing the Hope they inspire in us. This was the effect of my spiritual father ( and father-In-Law ), The Rev. Daniel Nickerson.
He was the most righteous man I have EVER Known and his effects on me and on this world reverberate eternally. A true role model doesn’t sell you ANYTHING, doesn’t TELL you what is cool or even stylish, but THEY are… ! They inspire us and they are in Stark contrast to the norm. By the strength of their personality, integrity , work ethic and intrinsic Righteousness which resonates in all they say and do, they portray a manner of living we aspire to ( Whether we outwardly admit it or not …). They FORCE us to examine ourselves , and as in the case of Peter ( or the rich young ruler ) , we are inspired to make a change , or walk away … Such are the lessons true role models display to us. Inspiring us to do what is seemingly difficult , they illuminate the ease in it, assisting us with their presence and wisdom the entire time. We excel by simply following their sage advice and making our attempts to emulate them. In my embryonic stages of church leadership , ( I was a Walking Deacon at 20 …Ordained as a deacon at 21) , I oftentimes struggled because of my youth. I couldn’t see how anyone could respect or listen to someone so youthful and was often made fun of. I went to my father’s office ( He was pastor …), to ask him how I could navigate my difficulty. He smiled, almost as if he were attempting to hold back laughter, before he answered.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)
Informing me that especially in Our purpose, representing GOD and leading HIS PEOPLE, that telling someone what to do or what they should do is the Sure way to be ignored. We must be an inspiration not an impediment. We must example it if we want someone to follow it. The power of Our Ministry is that we live not our words ( But the word of GOD), not just speak of it. Our inspiration must be In action, thought, evidenced in our deeds. Always Prepared with a word ( Our double-edged sword ) in and out of season ; with a selfless attention to those in need, all tied up in an eagerly constructed and invincible bow of agape love … ! That when we are powered by GOD, the results were ALL up to HIM and whom HE allows us to effect.
I realized that when I committed myself to this otherworldly but simple wisdom, that I would have the aid of HE whom directed my father’s path, knowing that HE would also direct mine. If HE be lifted up ( in Our actions and deeds , Our utterance, and Our walk ) HE’LL draw all men into HIM …That Our humble and Obedient nature allows GOD to affect others as HE infests us. Knowing all the time HE is with us and we share in GOD’s peace that passeth ALL Understanding and HIS eternal Comfort for we share in the Blessed assurance of CHRIST’s victory. This simple conversation was the turning point In Being an effective leader, a loving partner to my precious helpmate, my sweetest and Dearest friend, deciphering parenthood, Loving ALL that GOD has created. I can love my enemies, assisting them and championing them, affecting Them for CHRIST. Like my Blessed father, we will assume a CHRIST–Like Burden to lift the spirit of those spiritually bankrupt, give hope to the hopeless, because it lifts that person, it lifts Us, and the world around us … making us “the light of the World “ and the “Salt of the Earth.”
