Troublemaker!

Have you ever been labeled a troublemaker? Someone who caused disruption and maybe chaos at school, home, work or in society. I’m sure back in elementary school there were a few teachers and my principal, now my father in-law, who could have checked that box for me.

But is it always a bad thing being a troublemaker? The other week I was reading about one of my favorite characters in the Bible, Elijah. He was raised up during a dark time in the history of Israel to be the mouthpiece of God. Wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal over the God who lovingly saved Israel out of Egypt and who blessed them as His very own people.

When Elijah confronts Ahab in person, Ahab shouts out, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” I Kings. 18:17.  As I read that verse paused and thought about how that really was a compliment. Elijah was coming to shake up what had become the status quo in Israel. He was coming to awaken Israel from the demonic lies of the enemy that was controlling them.

Close observation of many God followers in the Bible indicate they too could be labeled as troublemakers. As they walked against the dark powers and  in the light of God’s Spirit, challenging  the strongholds of a sin controlled culture. The greatest trouble maker of all time is Jesus Himself. He caused trouble for the right, left and everything in between. He both physically and spiritually turned the tables upside down to make room for a new way of living. Everyone who has Jesus’ spiritual DNA in them will follow in His troublemaking steps. Read the book of Acts, those disciples turned the world upside down with the trouble they caused by following a new King and living for His Kingdom.

The other day I  was sharing a cup of coffee with a Jesus filled troublemaker. As we were talking I thought about all the trouble he has gotten into in the last six months because He followed His Heavenly Father in faith. Six months ago he said yes to  the Spirit’s leading and left a secure, comfortable job, filled with great benefits and a promising future. He walked into an unknown future with no security blanket, and he continues to remind me he has no plan B if this doesn’t work out.

Bryan’s first week as principal of a new Christian High School starting on the Oceans Campus upset the spiritual realm over our city. Our area experienced a once in a century storm that week which flooded the campus, causing major leaks in the roof, and resulted in many sleepless nights. Then an email  was received from a city group informing us of upset neighbors with the extra traffic in the neighborhood. The list could go on and on of the other battles and obstacles which were faced in those first few months of establishing the Christian High School.

But as we sipped our coffee I couldn’t help but praise God for my friend and all the trouble his faith has gotten him into. As we went over the need to hire more teachers because of all the new students,  90 plus and a waiting list. We are so thankful for the many prayers and ask you to continue to  lift up these students who are learning in an atmosphere bathed in prayer. May the Holy Spirit invade the hearts and minds of these students, not only for today but also for the future impact they  will have in our area and the country of South Africa. Bryan’s troublemaking faith has upset the darkness for sure, yet God’s faithfulness has overshadowed it all with miracles that shout out His glory.

I dare say our world needs more of these God-fearing troublemakers. May Abba Father give us the Spirit of Jesus to walk out in faith and follow His call wherever He may lead.