Tag: Position

Posted on

Proper use of power of position.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This moment captures the pinnacle of power Esther had learned to properly stewart. And, no doubt, she also had a massive dose of FOTL – Favor of the Lord! Even in Esther’s response, you hear no hubris, no ego, no self promoting angle. “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request.” Of course we know it’s a courtly formality that could easily be faked! We see the scoundrel, Haman, cozy up to the King to fulfill a personal vendetta against Mordecai and commit genocide on all the Jewish people in the kingdom.

The book of Esther gives us the perfect compare and contrast on the use of power over people. This moment at the planned banquet rose to the apex of the story arc, when Esther delivers the news to the king – she asked King Xeres to spare her life and the life of her people! One can feel the rage of justice finding its voice in the King, “Who would do such a thing?” Wow! Esther, now filled with the boldness worthy of her stature as a great queen speaks these words, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.”

Immediately Haman grew pale with his dark plans, exposed in the light, before the king and queen! The very blood that drove his revengeful, blind jealousy, would run away from his pompous face, now filled with fear. What an amazing example of the power dynamics that should exist in kings, rulers and leaders over human beings!

When and if you happen to rise in your company, your family or even your neighborhood HOA Association remember this. Power is for protecting the least, the weak the poor, or those on the fringe. Power consumed for one’s self will set yourself against God. God sees those unfortunate and disadvantaged. And God is looking for good and just men and women to lead well with those who have power over others. May the favor of the Lord be with you who leverage your gain, their reputation, wealth and certainty power to lead others.

Prayer

​Dad,
I get the feeling that most don’t think they have any power, any influence over others. I think we do. It may be small, but it is still there – where we work, live and play. Help us remember, in all humility, that you saw us, you loved us even while we were your enemies. Give us your favor, to do and be justice over those we influences around us. That we would speak up for them just as Esther did!

Posted on

With you it’s different.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said, you know that those recognized to “archó,” to rule over the “ethnos,” a race, the nations (usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles, non-Jews), do so in two ways; they “katastrēniáō,” exercise lordship or dominion over, and they “eksousiázō,” exercise authority or wield power over. Using dominion and power to gain compliance. It’s a very common and effective way to force people to do things against their will. Jesus then told his disciples, “however, it should not be among you.”

Jesus noted that in this world there is a prevalent leadership model that uses hierarchy and power to achieve results. Sometimes it’s good results, sometimes it bad. James and John had asked Jesus to grant them this opportunity to lead with position and power by placing them at the right and left hand of his throne. They still expected Jesus to become the messianic king of Israel. Thus, James and John were asking for positions or titles of authority in this earthly kingdom.

In a very teachable moment, Jesus asked the brothers if they truly knew what they were asking. Then he asked them a rhetorical question (a rhetorical question is asked to make a point or emphasize something, not to get an actual answer), ”Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Still thinking Jesus was referring to the struggles of leading a revolution, the brothers replied “Oh yes, we are able!” Then completely reorienting their ideals of taking over Rome, Jesus said to them, that it’s not up to him, and they will indeed suffer. But, more importantly, Jesus makes his point – they are to be completely different kinds of leaders. Jesus strongly says, “It will NOT be with you!” Referring to how Rome governs people.

Jesus followers are not to lead from high status, but of low. They are not to wield power by controlling, but by serving. Is there such a thing as low, servanthood leadership? Jesus clarified that in His kingdom as the Son of man, he came to serve not to be served. He came to give His life as ransom-money to free slaves! Jesus modeled the leadership qualities he expected of his followers.

A simple observation, James and John felt comfortable enough to ask Jesus about the seating arrangements in his kingdom. The other disciples were incensed, but instead, Jesus engaged them with a question, not immediately giving an answer. Does the Holy Spirit still respond to our questions like this? Not immediately answering the question but sending us off on a journey of curiosity and discovery. A great question is a teacher’s delight because it means the student is hungry to learn!

As a Pastor/teacher I believe people should ask questions. And, I am sure they want answers. I have to refrain from thinking these questions come from places of doubt or manipulation. I get too defensive thinking it’s just a trap, like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Even then Jesus enjoyed answering with one of his own questions! James and John may have been asking for positions of power, but Jesus was able to use it for a teachable moment – but for you it’s different.

Prayer

​Dad,
I should not be so surprised when I see Jesus using such powerful, patient words to cut through the pretense of the moment and engage people in truth. It’s like He knows us because He is the creator of all things! I get so defensive when I feel cornered, trapped or manipulated, it’s hard to think straight. Yet, Jesus was always looking for ways to engage our hearts and cause deep change within our soul and spirit. It is such a beautiful moment to read these real stories and watch the Master at work. Thank you for your grace and mercy, your patience and love in catching on to what you want us to see and do likewise. Amen.

Posted on

Keystone of purpose.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the Psalms, there is a lot of reference and reflection on the daily activities during those ancient days. So, in these songs, that means there is quite a bit of time spent on conflicts in relationships, or over land and even buildings. There are numerous references to war. Also, family and relationship dynamics all in a “kingdom” motif. And if human struggles weren’t enough, there was also the pressure to gain and keep land, as well as build forts, castles, temples, along with walls and intricate systems to protect cities.

At first, I thought about how difficult it must have been to get, keep and maintain both relationships and structures back then. Then I realized, we do similar today. There are still massive relationship struggles, some are power based, some just dealing with position, or betrayal. And, we may not all be dictators, leaders, presidents or monarchs, but we all have a place in society, all have some sense of responsibility and desire to move upward in power, position or even purpose. So, although we don’t currently speak in terms of war, subterfuge or kingdom maintenance, we all still struggle with human relationships and our plot of dirt, owned, rented or leased.

When Nathan is chastising King David and restoring him after repentance, David writes this Psalm bemoaning the difficulty in leading even after conquering all those who sought to take his kingdom, and capturing Jerusalem itself. In all this, David prophetically speaks of this special stone that goes in the foundation and becomes the most important structural piece of the entire building. The cornerstone. It wasn’t just a ceremonial brouhaha, like the picturesque shovel-shot when construction begins. No, it was the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. It was both physically and metaphorically important to get it right.

Here David, somewhat referring to himself as the rags-to-riches, shepherd to sovereign story, sets the unusual significance of the moment. No one expected a field boy to become the critical component for the nation’s success! But this phrase, “stone that the builders rejected” became the prophetic picture of Christ. The normal, if not below average guy from Nazareth, who would become the anchor, THE cornerstone. The reference by which all human beings since the beginning of time would be placed in this world determined by Jesus.

Our lives, our future is not determined by accident, nor by our whim or choice. Our purpose is not discovered, nor achieved by just throwing a stone into a building, wherever we feel like it may fit. Our stone, our life, our mark is made in direct positioning to Christ and where God determines where we should be placed. Our absolute joy and purpose is only found, can only be found, in position to where Christ is, as the keystone of all humanity.

Prayer

Dad,
I may not completely understand the architectural necessity and meaning of the cornerstone, but I do understand my place according to who Christ is! I have found not just who I belong to, but also where I belong in this life and the Kingdom of God. I have been placed for a purpose! I gladly serve at your good pleasure. Lead me, use me wherever you see fit. I am thankful to submit to all that you have for me. Amen.