A Common Mistake

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV)

Quench: - verb "... to subdue or destroy; overcome; quell: to quench an uprising..." 
(www.dictionary.com)

Yesterday my team and I experienced a slight issue, which did have some of us in strong disagreement as to the manner in which the situation was managed. The issue was the sudden interruption of an almost finalized  schedule of events to accommodate another group's plans without any proper notice. Some of you may wonder why couldn't we just go ahead with our original plans? Well we can't because of the authority and strong influence behind the (sudden) group's structural plans. Thus this group's plans would receive a higher priority than ours.
From my perspective, whilst we all recognized authority and the need to adhere to its set rules- it is no excuse for such a late interruption of schedule when the matter could have definitely been handled differently. Especially as we could have notified earlier of the change given that the other team knew of their plans beforehand.I mean how would you feel if your boss told you at 9a.m. today that you swould need to relocate to another country and the flight leaves departs the island at 7p.m. this evening. To add insult to injury, you discover that he knew of the relocation four months prior! I mean, REALLY!?! Even if you are single, it still gives him no excuse to use his authority so recklessly and abusively.

Now that you understand the "issue", the Lord showed me something in it and to this moment, the thought still holds me captive- how much we often quench the Spirit. A common place this may occur- WITHIN THE CHURCH. Due to the need to move according to what the clock says (i.e. service must be over by 11 a.m. In order to accommodate the second service) , there is a hindrance of the free flow of Holy Spirit for a much needed breakthrough, deliverance, healing, worship etc.
Reaching closer to home- how often do we plan the events of the day and calculate our movements that we leave little or no room for interruption. We tend to push God so far off our schedule that we do leave room for His sovereignty- allow Him to be God. Daily prayers and requests are made to Him for answers, guidance, desires of the heart (and the list goes on) but when God instructs us to do something that is beyond our schedule or challenges us out of our comfort zone, we tend to "silence that still voice" - as far as we are concerned "the devil is a liar and it is impossible that God will instruct us to such a thing". A higher authority has spoken, and we are disobedient. Because we have quenched the spirit we have missed the answer to the exact thing we have been praying for. If we are not swift in recognizing our error, changing our actions and repenting of our actions, we may continue to miss our breakthrough over and over again.The only time we believe God should speak to us is in that private moment we spend (if any) with Him in prayer. God is not being rude or in compassionate about your plans, but He is trying to show you how He moves and that there is a need to include Him in even the intricacy of our plans. This brings to mind the phrase: STOP PUTTING GOD IN A BOX! Remember ".... the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25 NKJV). So just because you believe that you can't do something, do not think that God would not ask you to do it. After all, how would you uncover your strength and abilities?It with this note, I encourage you to not disregard the still voice that speaks to your spirit. If you listen to and recognize authority when it is given/spoken, that authority will work in your favor because no man can surpass that authority that is God. For in Him all things are possible and once we remaining the path of obedience, He will grant us the desires of our hearts according to His will for our lives. You are blessed beyond measure, uncover them by choosing God's view over man's (including yours!)