On dented walls, crushed ants and spiders…

Power can be dangerous. People in power can do so much either for the good or the bad.
In situations like this, it is so easy to see who has the physical power. It is so easy to tell who will win should a match of strength occur. I guess it was pretty much like that with the unbalanced match of David and Goliath. Nobody ever thinks a small and seemingly weak opponent can grab the win. The same is true with warring nations. The idea during the time of conquerors and dynasties was to make one’s domain big and powerful. Big and mighty is powerful and if physical power is used, it seems to yield even more power.
I am speaking of physical power. The one that conquers most for himself is powerful. The one that gives the most blows and knocks out the opponent is powerful. What then is all this power of??? Is it for self-aggrandizement??? Then what???

If a bigger child wants to win against a smaller one, it could be the easiest thing on earth. If a wealthy nation wants control over a poorer nation, that too is easy. All that needs to do is violence. Physical violence by violating human rights, negating privileges and a total disregard of the individual.

Now if our goal is peace, harmony, prosperity, happiness for the greater majority and the just distribution of wealth and opportunities, significant ingredients are patience and humility.

Maybe we can say the same thing for ourselves. We might certainly swat a spider or an ant even if they do us no immediate harm. It is so easy for hospitals and other institutions to turn away the poor because they do not have the capacity to pay; no dollar power or peso power. I could go on and on and on.

Then I think of this wonderful and great mighty and powerful God who is patient and merciful.

How many times have we wronged Him??

How many times have we lifted our fists at Him when we disobey His commandments?

Yet he never wields His power on us. He does not give us what we truly deserves. If He did, we would have the same fate as the dented wall in the accounting office. We would have the same fate as the ants and spiders or even cockroaches under someone’s foot.

God’s definition of power is not conquering us and tying us down like slaves so we can be fully subservient to Him. His power is manifested in His gentle and humble love for us. By His loving us in spite of our weaknesses, He enables us to pick up ourselves from the heavy blows life gives us with renewed strength and confidence in the power of His love.

Bless us all!!!