Power: A Weapon or a Tool?

Life is full of change and unpredictability, and things are always changing for better and for worse. Power constantly shifts from person to person because everybody is hungry for a piece of the pie. But sadly, the power we want isn’t real power at all because man’s perception of power was one of the things that was distorted when sin entered the world. The power man has is nothing like the power that God has. God’s power was never used for His benefit, and it has always been motivated by His perfect love for us. Human power is rooted in pride, but God’s power is rooted in love. Human power is oftentimes a brute force that accomplishes things in the present moment, but in the end leaves great scars on the people affected by it. God’s power acts only for our good, even though it leaves Him with scars from our rebellion. Jesus has scars to prove His power that was rooted in His love for me; can the same be said for me, or am I the one leaving scars on other people? God’s power is manifest in me when I have the self control to submit to Christ and make effort to be more like Him. This is perceived as weakness in the eyes of the world, but it is real strength because I am weak until I allow His strength to dwell in me.

People and cultures change just as surely as seasons do, and there is nothing we can do to control it. The only thing we can control in any situation is ourselves. We are responsible for our words and actions; but more importantly, we are responsible for our beliefs that control our words and actions. The most important decision we are responsible to make on an everyday basis is if we will trust that God has as much power as He says He does. Then, we are responsible to act upon our decision. Real power alive in us is to recognize our lack of power and rely on the only source of real power. He has it, and we have access to it!