MikePaschall.com

Power is a genuine paradox to believers. We love it and we hate it. We despise its evil and appreciate its good. We would like to do without it, but we know it is part and parcel of human life.

Our ambivalence about power is resolved in the vow of service. Jesus picked up a basin and a towel and, in doing so, redefined the meaning and function of power. “If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15}. In the everlasting Kingdom of Christ, low is high, down is up, weak is strong, services power. Do you sincerely want to engage in the ministry of power? Do you want to be a leader who is blessing to people? Do you honestly want to be used of God to heal human hearts? Then learn to become a servant of all. “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). The ministry of power functions through the ministry of the towel.

—From Richard J. Foster, Money, Sex, and Power

I must admit that I am sickened at heart about the abuse of power that I see displayed every day in our country. I realize that isn’t everyone’s thoughts on the subject, but I’m pretty much over it. Power isn’t new. But the love of power by current Christ-followers is a strange twist that I can’t quite come to grips with. Is it not contrary to the teachings and ortho-praxy of the Christ? Does that little observation not matter to us anymore? We seem to be drunk on the stuff. Wild eyed and rabidly in love with our own alliance to money, power, and winning at all costs. All this huffin’ and puffin’ and spiritual violence in the Name of Jesus… is just bizarre and seems to be out of sync with “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” He did say something to us about “the kingdom suffers violence” via the abuse of force and power. I fail to see the “good” in it at any level.

“The ministry of power functions through the ministry of the towel.”

This line by Foster is cutting. He’s talking about real power; not the kind that is based in self interest, self promotion and ego. This is something that is more congruent with the heart and nature of Christ. A power that genuinely comes out of servitude, humility, and preference for the other. It is so different from the norm, I wonder if we can really let this into our spirits.

“Then learn how to become a servant of all.” How in the world would we ever get there in our current state of affairs? How? I’m trying to process this. It seems to me, that Jesus WAS servant of all, because he FIRST LOVED all. That love component had to be present or it would have been impossible to serve without reservation or prejudice. Certainly, it is no different for us. Power has no use of love, and servitude to all is impossible without love.

I concur, the Body of Christ needs revival… an awakening out of our illicit affair with the powers and principalities of this world.  But our focus has to be on our grasp of the truth that God’s love for all of creation is absolute. Duality isn’t working for us. Trying to build a kingdom rooted in violence and supremacy isn’t working for us either. The kingdom “does suffer violence,” because we’ve abandoned faith for gain of natural force. Until we change our tactics, I think we’re foolish to pray for peace. That ship sailed when we chose power over people.  —MDP

LOVE!  BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS LOVE.