The status quo relies on the apathy of its recipients more than the actions of its beneficiaries.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Be the change.” ?
It’s a very empowering thought. To think that we can simply insert ourselves into any situation and change it to meet our desires can do wonders for your confidence.
But beware, there are those that’ll fight you every step of the way.
Why?
Because change for you also means change for someone else–and turf battles (aka power struggles) can get bloody.
Speaking of power… all its forms have a common theme. Once we get some, we want to keep it. More times than not, we also want more.
Perhaps Lord Acton, a nineteenth century Catholic scholar understood it best when he said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Now that we all agree that power is very often a bad thing, it’s also a very inevitable thing. Wherever there’s something of perceived value, a force of power will be introduced and fought for—fiercely.
Look at our world. Most of the leaders that we look to for guidance are driven solely, it seems, by the never-ending quest to maintain their power. Of course, we could spend an eternity discussing the pitfalls of politics or the stained halls of the high and mighty, but we don’t have the time nor the stomach for that! 🙁
One more example of the power of power… In Luke Chapter 4, the Evil One tempted Jesus in the desert. They ascended to the highest mountaintop overlooking all the kingdoms in the world. He told Jesus, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
So the one thing that the Devil had to offer was power. He told Jesus that He would hold dominion over the world if He would only follow him. Fortunately for sinners like us, Jesus rebuked him and said “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
In a fallen world, power is the commodity that’s sought over all others. Whether bought with money or traded for favors, power is the currency of control.
What about apathy?
Well, back to the quote about “being the change”… which implies actually trying to do something.
Apathy is just the opposite and basically hands over the car keys to whoever wants to drive it. When we do nothing about something that needs to be changed, we’re enabling those that impose their position on all of us.
So, what does all this mean?
The Tiny Words. Big Life. recommendation is to treat power as though Jesus himself is monitoring it’s usage (which He is). He expects us to actually do something when we see a wrong. Sticking our head in the sand is a cowardly, if not sinful, approach to living a righteous life.
And remember, how you treat others, particularly those who are subjected to you, will be recorded on your “eternity scorecard”. Most assuredly, the amount of power you hold in this world will turn to dust in the next.
Finally, let’s give a shout-out to Lord Acton! He nailed it!
Proverbs 29:4
By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.