Feb. 24, 2010: Power

"Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says your God" (Zechariah, 4:6).

Power. What is it and why don't we acknowledge we have it even though we do? As middle class citizens of the United States (really if we look globally we are much richer than middle class) and as people who "have", even if we don't realize it, we have power. We have the power to make choices, power to go to school, power to spend money the way we want to, power to vote, power to choose how we are going to spend our day, power to say who can and cannot cross our borders...and the list goes on. We are blessed to have this power. But to have power means that we also bare the responsibility of using the power when appropriate.

The easiest place for me to start discussion about the issue of power is when it comes to social justice issues. Many people who are in poverty throughout our world do not have the resources to advocate for themselves due to the fact that their worldview is dictated by what occurs to them hourly. They are trying to figure out what and when their next meal is going to be versus trying to access their situation to get them out of the cycle of poverty. I, therefore, being a person with power, have the responsibility, time, and knowledge to care and do something proactive to help those around me who live in poverty. I would go as far to say that this is a mandate from God, "to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me (Mt 25:45)". If we ignore those in need we are negating the power we have to change the system in which people are entrenched in or something as simple as feeding someone who is hungry. Both systemic changes and charity are needed to make our world a better place for all to live. This cannot occur if us, the people in power, do not change our behaviors, our way of spending, and our selfish way of being in this world.

Our families. This one is complicated because a family is a unit where one thinks that power should not be a topic of concern nor should it be a way in which to be in relationship. In our faith the family unit is one of the most sacred aspects. It is where we first learn about our faith. It is supposed to model the Holy Family. There are teachings in our faith that talk about upholding and taking care of the family unit because it is where being a Christian community first begins. If there is disunity in family how are we supposed to model community in a broader sense as church? In our society, I know, this is not an easy one to swallow. There is a lot of disunity in families. Some of that disunity occurs due to power. When one person has power over another person relationships stagnate and people are not able to reach their full God given potential. Now when a child is small it makes sense for a parent to set rules and teach their children about morality. In that sense a parent has the responsibility of helping to shape the morality and being of their child. It is a form of power. And even this type of power must not be abused. Ultimately, I believe that we should not have power over our sisters, brothers, or parents. Prayer, discussion, and openness to love must take precedence. However I also believe that we should have the strength to speak out and discuss issues within families that are difficult, especially in the arenas of morality and faith. This is where integrity comes in. We must use our voice, our power, to discuss with family members what is in our mind and hearts so that we can grow closer to the image of whom we are called to be. If we bottle up what is in our hearts and mind then truth will have a more difficult way of coming forward. As stated earlier I believe that God put us in relationship to our families so that we could embody the Holy Family. Even though the scriptures skip over Jesus teenage years I bet you that Jesus, Mary and Joseph, had some heart to heart conversations where they did not all agree. Yet, listening, heart to heart, they allowed the power of God, truth, to seep through their discussions and ultimately came to decisions. Power in the sense of "having power over" is not healthy in any relationship but power in the sense of using your knowledge and heart to have discussions that can lead to conversion is where power in families can be useful. I think what is key, however, is you being open to conversion instead of you attempting to convert another. It is when we are open for conversion when others feel safe to also be open for conversion themselves.

Before and when we acknowledge we have power we must pray. We must ask God for the guidance on how to utilize our power to God's glory. When in discussion with others we must not worry about being right or wrong. Instead we must focus and feel the consolation of God and God's truth. That in itself should give us the inner peace we are all seeking. Why do we focus so much on ourselves, being right, and trying and control so much around us? I believe its fear. Fear of both not being in control and not knowing what is going to occur if we don't try to attempt to carve out the future. I think fear instigates us to use our power in ways that are not beneficial, either by misusing our power or by neglecting to use our power. If we truly trusted God there would be no need to fear because we would know and trust that God is in control. Who better else to trust?