Resolute power in the vulnerable kingdom

Photo by John Reign Abarintos on Unsplash

Indigenous peoples have long known and applied a principle this world’s powers cannot conceive. It’s the law of stewarding the land, never owning it, but being mothers of it. Nothing they’ve historically held was theirs to the detriment of other claimants.

They were, have been, and are, the carers of everything. A very powerful force for good.

What has the Western kind of power shown us? We’re fast ruining the planet and we disrespect our original peoples, seizing and coveting power without even a care.

Power corrupts. We know that. Indeed, Lord Acton (1834 – 1902) said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

It doesn’t mean power has to corrupt. The history of the kings of Israel is testimony enough that some regals held power beautifully, though most did not. And there is the appearance of beauty that can often hide the abuses of power, which sometimes we only find out about decades later.

There are so many accounts in our present day of power that has been misused. So many abuse stories. And it seems there will only be more. We should embrace this age as the evening of justice for the powerless, the reckoning of the powerful however they’ve performed; the reward of continuing to serve for the faithful, and retributive justice for those who haven’t — a restorative justice for survivors of abuse.

But there’s something very tangible about the vision of the Kingdom that Jesus had in mind.

The resolute power of the vulnerable kingdom is such that good is done when we refuse to cling to power. When we see leadership like this, like all leaderships — good and bad — we follow it. Whether good or bad, we’re led by example. When someone like Martin Luther King led, others followed in his stead.

The most convincing and heroic power is the power that lords it over nobody.

Power that attracts gives its power away as it empowers others with a lifegiving power.

Truly regenerate people live in the sight of God — they live convinced that they do everything in the full view of heaven. If there are no secrets, if everything that is done is visible enough to be seen, why would we do that which would go against us. Living in such a way is to live accountable to God alone.

We don’t need to grapple and ingratiate for power. It only causes stress, fretting, and evil.

Martyred missionary Jim Eliot (1927 – 1956) said, “A person is no fool who gives up what they cannot keep, to gain what they cannot lose.” It’s a compelling question.

Why contend for power? It’s for ill-gotten gain. It won’t last. And our eternal reputation is at threat.

The resolute power in the vulnerable kingdom is the test of our humanity. Will we sow into something weak and seemingly worthless — with riches in the reality of eternity definitely beyond compare?

The more we give away, the more we’ll retain.

Only in the world does the concept of a vulnerable kingdom not stack up. But, as far as the kingdom is concerned, the world is vulnerable, because it pretends it has strength — a strength that cannot last.

What is the reward for misusing the power we’re given?

MATTHEW 18:1-6 … The disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [WHAT WE MIGHT ALL SECRETLY ASK] Calling a child to him, Jesus put the [SMALL] child in the middle of them and said, “Truly, unless you turn [JESUS’ CLOSEST FOLLOWERS – WISE UP!] and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me [DON’T LOOK DOWN ON ANYONE], but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Serving in humility... as we serve with no thought of reward, Christ shines His light on our lives, and we quickly learn that the world loves this kind of hero. The world needs more of this kind of hero.

We never do anything for our glory. We resist adulation. We avoid accolades. We give credit elsewhere. We call attention to others. Yet we respect others when we receive their thanks. Honour everyone.

Our purpose is to learn our purpose; what produces passion within us. We engage in our purpose with passion. We commit to it with integrity. And with resilience that inspires, we never give up.

Matthew 18 greatness is the gift God gives to us to live magnanimous lives, indebted to Him, sowing for His glory alone, serving especially those less powerful than us. This is the heroism the world needs.

This greatness is the gold. This greatness is the jewel. This greatness is the gentleness of trust, embodying kindness, that believes the best about others and is willing to forgive and grow.

This greatness is the goal of life, where others shoot for ‘success’. Significance shoots further and deeper and longer and stronger. This significance gives meaning without need of material blessing.

This greatness is your willingness to take hold of the baton placed in your hand; to charge down the runway of your life with it for others.

This greatness is the firm, secure hand that grasps hold of the baton, pursuing the goal of God’s Kingdom. This greatness is a lasting legacy which runs full tilt toward the approaching generation, safely handing off, encouraging them at all times. Run your race. Keep the faith.

Anyone who applies this will succeed, living a life of significance.

Anyone who commits to living gently, accountably, peaceably will be blessed now and forevermore.