Authority often gets a bad wrap. It’s tempting to assume it is just about power and pushing one’s agenda onto others. And certainly there are many who have abused their positions to do just this. But abuse of authority doesn’t make authority itself inherently bad. And there’s a sense in which we should learn to exercise our influence while also being under authority as well.
To be sure, we’re born under the authority of our parents. And, at school, we were under the authority of our teachers, while at church we’re under the authority of our pastors.
Being under authority entails being submitted to a higher power or established order. The point is not to be merely controlled by others, but rather to surrender in trust to their guidance and protection.
As such, when we exercise authority we’re doing so to advance the good of those under our care – providing order and purpose for them to grow and flourish. And when we submit to authority we’re not giving up our personal responsibility, but yielding to a greater good or higher purpose.
All too often we either abdicate our positions of authority or resist the authority of others. And both positions miss the mark.
For instance, it’s our responsibility as parents to exercise the rightful authority of our homes. And we’re not serving our kids when we just try to keep them happy. This leads to much unnecessary suffering for all.
In the same way, we never grow too old to be under authority ourselves. Certainly, this includes submitting to God’s kingdom and the larger story he’s telling. But it’s good to have a few mentors or sages we submit to as well.
In the end, the rule of authority is part of how God has ordered his world. And rejecting it would be rejecting God himself. Humbly exercise the power given to you, as you also submit to being under authority yourself.
