Poor. Powerless. Emptied of God-ness.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Poor. Powerless. Emptied of God-ness.

All-powerful, mighty, wielding authority. (One might be tempted to think that this was God Almighty!) But, no! What a juxtaposition. Poor, powerless. Just as the Apostle Paul states in the second chapter of Philippians, the Eternal Son (soon to be called Jesus) empties Himself willingly. He becomes a helpless baby born to a virgin in the small town of Bethlehem.

That power dynamic can be so tempting, so seductive. I have seen individuals get drunk on power. Have their heads swell with the bare thought of power and authority, not even the actuality of it. Dear Lord, preserve me from this insidious malady!

Over the centuries, the followers of Jesus have certainly come to grief over such a radical character flaw. Too bad that the quote (from Lord Acton) sprang to my mind so readily: “Power corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

All I need do to see this demonstrated is look without doing much digging at all. Looking at the leaders of the Early Church, you would think that everyone—no matter their national origin, slave or free, color or creed—would live together in peace and harmony. But, no! The Gnostic and Arian controversies divided the Church (and believers) for several centuries. And that was just the beginning. Males gradually got more and more power and authority in the church. Over Adventpeople, places and things.

A quote from Henri Nouwen seems appropriate for us to consider. “What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.”

Dear Lord, gracious God, help me love You more and more. The more I love God, the more I will come to see how much God wants me to be loving to others. So, help me, God. Please.

@chaplaineliza

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On Taking the Joy with the Sorrow

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, November 11, 2015

On Taking the Joy with the Sorrow

I need to get used to living life on life’s terms. Yes, life comes my way, complete with joy and sorrow.

I can so relate to today’s reading from Keep It Simple, the reading that says so many people in recovery want the joy from life without getting any of the sorrow. In other words, all of the up sides of life, without any downs. But—what will happen if life is all sunshine and flowers?

“ … we can learn from hard times, maybe more than we do in easy times. Often, getting through hard times helps us grow.” [1]

Wow. I know that, first hand. I have been through some challenging, even difficult times. Even though I have always had a belief in God as my Higher Power, a belief in God as I understand God, my life has not always been a bed of roses. Sure, I have had hard times. (For several extended periods in my life, too.) But, God has been there.

There have been times when God seemed far away. Or ignoring me. Or powerless to help me. Those are the times when it was like God was behind a cloud. Or, hiding. Or, completely silent.

This reading lets me know that this may very well describe our “conscious contact” from Step Eleven. Yes, “as this constant contact grows, our courage grows. And, we find the strength to face hard times.” [2]

God willing, I will be able to depend on my Higher Power. I will find the strength to have faith in God, as I understand God.

Praise be to Your name, O Lord Jesus Christ.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Keep It Simple: Daily Meditations for Twelve-Step Beginnings and Renewal. (Hazelden Meditation Series) (San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1989), November 11 reading.

[2] Ibid.