PERSPECTIVE ON POWER

I was watching the 400th republican debate the other night and thinking just how boring and uninspiring it all was. Not to just pick on the poor republicans – the democratic debates have been just as predictable and safe. Where is the passion, where is the fearlessness, where is the courage to say what really needs to be said? It occured to me – these guys and gals will never speak the pure unadulterated truth because they covet and crave power too much. It’s not just the politicians though, we all hunger for and desire power. Is it possible that power is more of a driving force in humanity than money and sex combined? Quite possibly. So, those of us who follow Jesus  have a problem. We have quite the delimma. When we choose the way of the cross,  we are suppose to give up power in favor of love right? Jesus understood this better than anyone. He understood that the powerless were the only ones who could afford the luxury of being steadfast in their convictions. When we forsake power we have absolutely nothing to lose. That’s why the guys who are losing are probably the ones who are really telling the truth. As powerless people we begin to realize that nothing can be taken away from us. I was thinking about how many times a day I am faced with and confronted with the prospect of compromise. Why do I give in so often knowing full well that what I am doing is diametrically opposed to the perfect will of the Father. I think has to do with my hunger for power. When I am able to make up my mind that power is not the answer, when I then forsake it – I can dare to live and act in a way consistent with Jesus and His teachings. Why is that? Because there is now nothing to be gained through compromise. What better example than the early church. How did they live their lives with such reckless abandon, such joy, such fulfillment in the face of so much hostility? They had given up power in favor of love. Instead of always pointing at the politicians, the religious right, and the religious left I think I’ll just keep in mind that there are three fingers pointing back at ME from now on.

~ by bobswan on October 11, 2007.