The Power of We

I am glad to have people in my life.

Going it alone, besides being lonely, is not the intention of God. He places us in families and churches. It is within relationship that we experience love and learn to exemplify it to the world, find our place and role in serving Him and accomplish greater things together than we can accomplish by ourselves. Synergy.

But, I have to admit that I also get frustrated with people. I am sure that there is an inevitable vice versa in the equation as well.

My guess is that most of you need relationships, all of you have relationships and, at times, experience frustration with people. It is a relief to know that God loves us despite our imperfections and He shows us how to love others in this way so we can have the time of our lives in this mixed salad of humanity in which we find ourselves.

Just as a steady diet of healthy food can lead to a healthy body, a steady habit of following the right principles can lead to healthy, vibrant relationships. Here are a few “let uses” to show us the way.

1. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Discouragement can lead to other negative things, making relationships difficult. We have to keep hope alive and focus on the faithfulness of God so we can have a joyful outlook that helps others.

2. “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Encouragement is not generic. We can actually consider how to uniquely encourage people. Specific, heartfelt encouragement energizes and motivates.

3. “Let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Sin, including bitterness and unforgiveness towards others, is a tangly mess. When we leave it behind we can run swift and unfettered with our eyes on the only One who is perfect in love.

4. “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9)

It can be hard to persevere in our endeavors with a heavy heart. But when love is put into action, good results will follow. It all comes back to watching our hearts and attitudes, doesn't it?

The Steward and the King

Since we are preparing to journey, I decided to visit Middle Earth through reading “The Lord of the Rings” again. I enjoy the sense of mission, the adventures and the honor and respect within the fellowship. It is rich with beautiful imagery and encouragement. But in this reading, I came away with a fresh perspective on stewardship.

The Steward of Gondor was supposed to lead until the king returned, but that had not happened for generations. The realm of Gondor and all of Middle Earth stood on the brink of war and their defeat seemed imminent. The Steward, Lord Denethor, had become obsessed with power and paranoid of anyone usurping his rulership. Gandalf came on the scene to help, but was met with suspicion.

This is what Gandalf said concerning his intentions:

“The rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task , though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward, did you not know?”

Tolkien presents a continual contrast between those who seek power for rulership and then are corrupted by it and those who have power to bring healing, wisdom and restoration. When the king does return to Gondor, he comes as a healer and one who is mighty in battle. The rulership is rightfully his, yet he waits to be invited in.

I was reminded of the stewardship each one of us has during our lives to serve in the area of our abilities. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that all power and authority belongs to God, the King, who is entirely good and incorruptible. There is so much good that we can do when we know our place as stewards of the grace of God.

There was a recent election here in the Philippines and we are approaching a major election in the US. I am sure there are many people running for office who sincerely see public office as a stewardship to help people. There are many needs throughout the world and so much good that can be done, but government service is often sadly reduced to a game of power, rulership and wealth.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10)

With great Power comes great Responsibility

In Spiderman 3, Spiderman fights his greatest battle: the battle within. Will pride win out as he uses his power for his own selfish aims or will he continue to be the magnanimous Spiderman who uses his power for good?

My heroes growing up were not caped crusaders, but strong leaders throughout history, such as Winston Churchill. He was one of my father’s greatest heroes which meant that he often quoted Churchill at the dinner table. I am my father’s daughter, so the influence remains. Churchill said it like this: “the price of greatness is responsibility”. When I look at his life, I am inspired by how he unwaveringly held to his convictions even when his views were not heeded and cost him personally. He went through a wilderness for more than a decade, but he took refuge in his close relationship with his family. Churchill began to warn Parliament in the early 1930’s of the impending threat of Hitler’s rise to power. His warnings went unheeded until he was eventually called upon to lead Britain to victory against great odds.

He was a man of conviction, a man of character who sought the truth and was willing to accept the responsibility required to do what had to be done. Giving in was not a choice. He was a man of deep contemplation and a man of action, yet he had a sense of humor about himself. He was acutely aware of his own weaknesses, but had the resolve to do what was required.

We all make choices every day.
We all go through wilderness times of self-doubt.
We all have responsibilities that we have to bear for the good of others.

Seemingly insignificant choices add up to enormous impact.

Take a moment to think about the following responsibilities:

1. Responsibility to pray
Many great battles are won in prayer. Prayer shows our dependence on God, even when we breathe a short prayer such as: “Help, God, I need You. Give me wisdom.” When our children become mature, they call on us less often. When we become mature, we call on God more often. The life of faith brings us to places where we are way outside our comfort zones and need God to come through for ourselves and others.

2. Responsibility to unwaveringly hold to convictions
Convictions are truths we obey without heed to our emotions, personal comfort or public opinion. Our resolve grows stronger every time we make the right decision and refuse to compromise. Can you keep your convictions even when no one sees or knows? God sees and honors a life lived for Him. Ultimately, the impact affects others.

Who knows how far-reaching the impact will be for good?