Power

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln 

I was watching the Republican Primary Debate the other night and had to laugh to myself as Ron Paul got booed for saying we should use the Golden Rule when it comes to how we view our relations with other countries.

The reason why I had to laugh was that in a room that statistically is majority Christian, he got booed for quoting Jesus.  In Matthew 7, Jesus says:

"¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

I'm not saying to vote for Ron Paul or anyone in particular, but isn't it sad that it is even possible for that to be a response among Christians? Is having Republican or Democratic power so important that we are willing to boo a core principle in scripture?  Does World Power mean so much that something Jesus has said becomes irrelevant?


My own first response to those questions is that it's complicated.  I start to play out all these different scenarios but in the end I find myself essentially trying to provide a way out of what Jesus said in Matthew 7.  


But I can't do that and neither should you.


Some times things are much more simple then we want them to be.


That's why I love Psalm 131.  It says:

¹ My heart is not proud, LORD,
   my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
   or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
   I am like a weaned child with its mother;
   like a weaned child I am content.
 ³ Israel, put your hope in the LORD
   both now and forevermore. 

The Psalm is part of the Psalms of Ascent (120-135) which were historically recited when the people of Israel would go up Mount Zion to the temple.  In spite of having power the psalmist says that he has put pride aside which automatically means you think of others, and is now free because he doesn't worry about the "things" of this world that in the end are insignificant. In verse 2 he says that he is like a child that has been weaned which means he is free, he is free of fear & insecurity, and has a peace within him.

Then in verse 3 he makes a simple statement to the people of God to remember.  To put your hope in the Lord.

That's character.  That's power. 

Should we boo that too?

Peace,
Wags