DeLonn and Valerie Rance

LaDawn, Jorel and Shayla

Mobilizing the Church to the Mandate

and Equipping the Called

I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE KING

The other night in an attempt to wind down after a busy day, Valerie and I caught a rerun of a program called, 'West Wing.'  I have to admit it is one of my favorites.  Even though the President in the program has an agenda that doesn't reflect my position, I enjoy the show for the intense dialogue and the insiders view of the inner workings of the White House and government, albeit through the eyes of Hollywood.  I'm often amazed and chagrined at the significant parallels between church politics and relationships and what I see on the program.

In the episode we watched, the President chose to embark on a risky and aggressive plan for change in government and society.  In a dramatic moment the President's chief of staff asks the key staff members if they are willing to follow the President into the fray.  Each one responded with the words they had spoken when they took their oath of office: "I serve at the pleasure of the President."

At the close of the program Val commented, "I sure wouldn't want one of their positions.  All they do is work. They practically live in the White House."  My response was "yeah, but they are in incredible positions of power, authority and influence.  They feel like they can make a difference in the world" and they do in a temporal way.

However, we get to serve and make a difference for eternity. Paul Finkenbinder (Hermano Pablo), noted missionary evangelist in Latin America and former AG missionary in El Salvador for 23 years, along with his wife Linda had just been with us for our ministers retreat.  In one of his messages referring to the high calling of the ministry, he declared emphatically that to become a president of a nation would be a step down from the call to ministry.

I told Val.  I agree with Paul, we get to serve at the pleasure of the King! True, the work is intense, we spend almost all of our time in his House, but the fruits of our labor are eternal.  What's more, the white house staff may get to see the president for just a few brief moments every day, but our King is at our side every moment of every day.

This call is not just a call to missionaries, every believer is called and empowered for service by the Spirit of the King.  It is the King's pleasure that all who have sinned, repent and receive eternal life in his Name.  He communicates his pleasure to the world through his staff, his ambassadors.  Do you serve at the pleasure of the King?  Have you said "yes"?  Are you willing to give your all to the King's aggressive agenda to reach the lost with the life giving power of the gospel?  What is the Spirit of the King requiring of you to fulfill his agenda?  Just say "yes".  Join Valerie and me and declare:

"I serve at the pleasure of the King."

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