Most power plays are short-sighted… aren’t they, Lord? They deal with the Here and Now. The Me Above All. The Take Control At All Costs.
Maybe “short-sighted” isn’t the right term at all. Maybe “blind” is better suited. Deny The Truth. Shore Up The Defenses. Divide and Conquer The Reason-able.
What a lonely — and dangerous — way to live.
You showed me evidence of this recently, Lord. An organization on life-support. A leader who is driving away any who dare to acknowledge what any reason-able person cannot help but observe.
Because Truth is the Enemy of Denial. Response-ability is the Enemy of Status Quo. Exposure is the Enemy of Conspiracy. Discovery is the Enemy of Incompetence.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Will this organization survive, Lord? Can a house divided against itself stand? Can a leader experience an epiphany? When do ability and willingness go to war?
Many in the organization You showed me are looking for a way out. Others have already bolted. That’s what happens when short-sighted power plays dominate the landscape.
But what is the way through, Lord?
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)
Peace. Thanksgiving. Teaching. Admonishing. With all wisdom? A tall order, Lord, when clear “battle lines” seem to have already been drawn. When spiritual “weapons of mass destruction” have already been unleashed. When both “armies” seem to be bent on recruiting “reinforcements.”
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10)
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Standing on The Rock, praying “against the wind”…
Believing in the Power of Prayer…
Abba’s Girl