“Many men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man's character give him power" - Robert Ingersoll (attributed widely to Abraham Lincoln, Former President of the USA)
Having and holding power is powerful. To finally be in a place to have the power to make decisions, implement and realise your plans, dreams, and vision can feel deeply fulfilling and rewarding. It can be impactful to be in a position to do some good in the world and make a difference. Of course, we need to remember that we have been given power by God to make that difference and ensure that the plans, vision and dreams are aligned with what and how God wants us to use the position we are in. Power is sometimes seen in our churches as a bad thing, but God gave us power to achieve God’s purposes.
As many of us are aware however, having and holding power can be a real temptation, especially if we have been on the receiving end of the misuse of power. We can be tempted to boost our own status, feed our ego, and worse, use it for revenge and retribution. Sometimes the misuse and abuse of power is tricky to see. To handle power well we need an inner strength and ability to use it well. This is a key discipleship issue.
Jesus is our example of using power well. We see this very clearly in the Bible in Luke 8:40-56. Here Jesus is on his way to the temple and the crowds are pushing in around him. A woman who has been bleeding for 12 years reaches out and touches the hem of his garment. She is instantly healed. Jesus then asks who has touched him and acknowledges that power has gone out of him. When the woman comes trembling before his feet Jesus says some incredibly powerful words to a woman who has been outcast for 12 years.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Such powerful words. Daughter. You are a part of my family. Your faith, not my power, has healed you. A complete restoration.
Jesus then dismisses the crowd and goes on to heal the little girl.
In this one passage we see Jesus using many different types of power. Healing power obviously, but also social power to control the crowd and dismiss them. He used his voice and words for good to restore the woman who had been healed. Jesus respected her agency in acting out in faith. Jesus didn’t use his power to prove his own ability and status. When the mourners mocked him outside Jairus’ home he didn’t go outside afterwards and boast he had healed the girl. If we had raised a child from the dead, could we act in the same way? Or would we be tempted to prove our power?
Jesus is our example of how to use power well. Jesus used it for the benefit of others, not himself. He gave away power freely, as we see in this story, and didn’t hold on to it and use it as a way of controlling others. Jesus had the best in mind for the woman, girl and Jairus in the way that he used his power. For example, he only allowed a few disciples to accompany him into Jairus’ home. This protected the 12-year-old girl’s dignity and safety. It didn’t make her a showcase for everyone else. He didn’t use the girl to demonstrate his power, instead he was focussed on what was best for her.
The principles of the use of power we gain from Jesus in this story are as follows:
- Use it for the benefit of others, not yourself
- Don’t hold on to power and use it to boost your own status
- Use it wisely
- Be focussed on what the person needs and how you can use your power to deliver those needs
- Do not use people to show how much power has been given to you
- Always use your power in line with God’s plans and purposes
- Do not shy away from using your power for good even when others are telling you it will make no difference and will be a waste.
- Listen to God.
- We have a responsibility to use power well. Doing nothing when you have the power to do good could be a misuse of power.
We need a good character formation to hold and handle power well. It takes time and why we need to discuss power in our discipleship programmes. If we put a powerful engine in a second-hand car that is falling apart, then it will quickly cause the breakdown of the car and could damage others too. So, we need a good structure ourselves to handle power, otherwise we could hurt ourselves and others with the power we have.
Violence against women and girls is a result of the misuse and abuse of power. It is using power to control another person and get them to do your will against their will. That is abusive. We remember that Jesus died on the cross to give us a choice. A choice to follow his ways of love or not. Jesus doesn’t force us to follow him, even though it is for our good, rather Jesus invites us in to live in the way of love. We have the freedom to say yes or to walk away.
In the end we remember Jesus as our example who gave his life on the cross. Jesus demonstrated that the power of love is infinitely better than the love of power.
Will we follow his example?
Action:
Reflect on the power you have and hold. You may think you have no power but think beyond roles and jobs. Do you have a position in church? Do you have a position in your family? What about your community? What languages do you speak? Recognise the power you have and hold and think about how you use that power. Does it reflect the principles Jesus used?
Do we need to repent of the way we have used power in the past for our own selfishness? Are we prepared to put right the wrong we have done? Sin has its consequences, and we may need to be prepared to face those consequences.
Mandy Marshall
Director for Gender Justice