Rev. Elijah Israel-Shaphat Chanak

CULTURE NEEDS LEADERSHIP

Culture needs leadership. There is a lot going on in the world. Everyday our timelines are flooded with emotion-stirring and deeply troubling headlines. However, in the midst of distress, culture is deeply crying out for leadership, direction, wisdom, and a way forward. In the midst of divisive narratives, and corrupt worldviews, there is still a heart in the nations of the world that seeks leadership.

Jesus said the Church is both light and salt (Matt. 5:14-16). This means, being a Christian is a leadership calling. We are called to lead the way forward in every nation and sphere of influence we are planted in. Sometimes, rather than leading, we can often succumb to the insurmountable pressure that culture places on us to address situations. This often leads to half-baked hot-takes that end up being a part of the problem and not the solution.

For example, in cases of great injustice, language can often be used to temper emotions, quail resistance, and call people to passivity. Notions like “if you do, then they will do” come forward, suggesting that good behavior will result in social fairness. The reality is, sometimes good behavior still results in abuse, mistreatment, and inequity. When culture identifies injustice, we should be able to analytically and critically deconstruct harmful systems, whilst calling for moral order among subjects and those in positions of power.

Jesus often spoke about the “weightier matters of the law” (Matt. 23:23), which suggests that some conversations are not priority in certain moments. Part of leading is discerning what the more important conversations are, in order to charter healthy ways forward out of corruption.

The Church is unfortunately not being known for great discernment, but for irrelevant hot-takes that are not addressing the vital issues in culture. In order to address issues, one must have a healthy understanding of them. It is scripture that teaches us to assess both sides of an argument before issuing a judgement (Prov. 18:17). Before offering commentary on social issues, we must understand all sides of the issues in order to speak into it.

We need to lead in this hour. The multitudes are like sheep without shepherds (Matt. 9:36). Culture is falling into corrupt hands because of our negligence in pertinent issues. Seek the wisdom of God (James 1:5), and seek to be a conduit of divine solutions. In order to provide divine solutions, ensure you are well versed in matters and not simply dogmatic in your perspectives (Deuter. 1:17).

There’s a difference between correcting someone in righteousness and correcting someone according to your personality.

I find a lot of rebukes today are simply people enforcing their personal convictions, preferences, and limitations onto others.

Just because you wouldn’t do something a specific way, doesn’t mean the said specific way is wrong. For example, I’m personally extremely outspoken, confrontational, and analytical. Some could misread this as condemning, condescending, and judgemental. Your unconfortability with a personality trait doesn’t make the personality trait wrong/evil.

We must learn how to distinguish between ourselves and God. Furthermore, let’s not make scripture say what it does not say, or mean what it does not mean.

Mind the business that legitimately pays you and quit being obsessed with the lives of others. Manage your time and energy on things that will profit you.

This is a life message for me, especially in these polarising times.

This is a life message for me, especially in these polarising times.

We are pressing towards that day. Lord Jesus, heal our world, please 😭🙌🏾🌍❤️.

I have mixed views about the Karmelo Anthony case, and the national reactions towards it…

Under-promise and over-deliver every time.

Sometimes we preach so heavily to the backslider that we leave no resources in the hands of the frontslider. Not everyone is living one foot in and one foot out. Some people have fully devoted themselves to Christ, are living uncompromisingly, and life is lifeing. We have to equip faithful followers of Christ to navigate being in the world whilst they remain not of this world. Some people don’t need to repent because they live repentant. We can’t keep catering to the messy carnal Saints or even unsaved. At some point we have to mature the decided.

Don't be a "yes man", always be someone who thinks critically, evaluates everything, and carefully arrives at conclusions.

Destiny Post:

The testimony is loading. God has done great things, and will continue to do greater things. Posting this as a reminder to remain focused as this rigorous journey unfolds.

Dr. Elijah Israel-Shaphat Chanak, Esq. coming soon!

Had a great week with the legend Mother Prophet this week, Emma Stark. God is planting prophets everywhere, a new era is upon us.