Power in Contrast

Summary

The word POWER evokes many different images in our minds; most of them have to do with strength and influence. Power belongs to those who have the ability to impose their will. Becoming powerful means making much of yourself.

In the Bible, we are continually reminded of our weakness; that we are not that great. At first, it seems as if God is ‘putting us in our place,’ helping us to understand who we are in relation to Him. The Bible also reminds us, again and again, that it is in the weakness that we find power. Whether it is in the OT: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7), or the NT: for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10), we keep getting glimpses of this other way to view power. Too often, we read these passages as a rejection of power. We come to the conclusion that God’s ideal is that His people be feeble. That is not the reason He highlights weakness; what God is doing for us is giving us an alternative way toward power. The Bible describes this as: the way from above.

This way from above is a way of power, but it is a power that is found through embracing what this world deems weak. This way was modeled for us by Jesus in the incarnation and crucifixion. As His people, we need to do the work of understanding His way, but also pursuing it in world that exists in the way from below.

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