He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.[1]”
Tuesday night I watched the State of the Union address. I have a love/hate relationship with the State of the Union address. It’s like one of those car crashes you can’t keep your eyes off of. I always want to watch the President address the country. I’m curious, I want to understand the vision of the current administration, and I like keeping up with current events. Yet every year, no matter whom is the acting President, I always go to bed disgusted by the political games that get played. One side of the room stands, while the other sits. One side of the room applauds, while the other side snickers. Recently, Justice Samuel Alito explained why he doesn’t attend the State of the Union Address anymore, “every once in a while the president will say something that is nonpartisan. ‘the United States is a great country.’ ‘We support our men and women in uniform.’ Then everyone’s applauding and standing…And then we’ll get faked out. The president will then say, ‘because we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna enact this legislation.’ It’s a very odd experience.[2]” The State of the Union is all about power and space and influence. It’s a game that is played to garner influence, and unfortunately it’s rarely used in a positive way.
I wish all leaders, especially political leaders, would stop what they are doing and read MaryKate Morse’s book, Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence. We all have a lot to learn regarding power and Morse deepened my understanding when she described the framework for the various kinds of power exercised in interpersonal relationships. My eyes were opened greatly as Morse described the four social categories of power: expert, character, role, and culture[3]. Morse explains that individuals or groups can have one or all four of these social powers and each power can be used for positive or negative effects.
This got me thinking of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.[4]” This truth was illustrated well when Morse shared Jesus’ use of power to restore the “sinful” woman. Morse said, “The audaciousness of the sinner woman’s loving act illustrates the capacity of the powerless to influence change, if only someone in power publicly acknowledges the act.[5]” That line stopped me in my tracts when I read it. I’d argue that all of us associated with the DMINLGP have been blessed with the four types of social power, we have been given and entrusted with much. Therefore it is our calling to use the power we’ve been given to restore the powerless around us.
One doesn’t need to look very far to see that power is most often used to protect and preserve our own status and agenda. While many, including myself, initially point to politics as the negative example, there are way too many leaders in ministry misusing the power they have been given. MaryKate Morse’s refreshing book reminds us that “we are made in the image of God. God’s own presence is within us wherever we go, whatever we do…each of us has the responsibility to bring our Christlikeness to the group.[6]” This book was a great reminder to slow down and remember my purpose. Any amount of power and presence I’ve been blessed with should be used to love those around us, and to restore and empower those outside the sandbox.
[1] Isa. 40:29 (New Living Translation).
[2] Erin Fuchs, “Justice Alito Has Very Clear Reasons for Skipping the State of the Union,” Business Insider, January 21, 2015, accessed January 21, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com/why-samuel-alito-doesnt-like-the-state-of-the-union-2015-1#ixzz3PU8pAOQb.
[3] MaryKate Morse, Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2008), 43.
[4] Luke 12:48 (NIV Version).
[5] MaryKate Morse, Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2008), 56.
[6] Ibid., 86
About the Author
Nick Martineau
Nick is a pastor at Hope Community Church in Andover, KS, founder of ILoveOrphans.com, and part of the LGP5 cohort.10 responses to “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless”
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James 4:6 ESV
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
We need Term Limits
Term limits are a good thing. (-: But I am really thankful for grace. Too often I’ve taken the position of the proud and I’m thankful He stills gives grace. That’s a picture of true power.
God bless you Nick,
That’s the nature of all politics no matter how you slice. I have learned to pay less attention to everything said and pay more attention to what happens. And with that being said we do posses the power to make things happen and it is important that we do with those four areas you mentioned. I realize that we will be scrutinized for our actions and leadership choices i just pray that we got our blind side together when we are. God bless you Nick!!!!!!
Nick, I totally agree with your line, “I’d argue that all of us associated with the DMINLGP have been blessed with the four types of social power, we have been given and entrusted with much. Therefore it is our calling to use the power we’ve been given to restore the powerless around us.” When we were in Cape Town, one of the most frequent reoccurring thoughts in my head was how privileged we are and what a responsibility we have to do something with the lives we do not deserve but have been blessed with. How we daily use this “four category” power is probably our greatest stewardship matter in our lives. Great post!
Phil and Nick, I had highlighted the following line from the post before reading Phil’s reply… “Therefore it is our calling to use the power we’ve been given to restore the powerless around us.” I have found myself over the years standing in the posture of one with influence and institutional credibility, and faced with the decision to either leverage that power for the good of an emerging leader who had none of either. Most times, I have to wrestle with the ramifications of my “sticking my neck out” for the sake of another because I am faced with the possible loss of credibility if they don’t perform. I fear losing my influence and credibility, and the power that accompanies them. I think most of the time I use my power to elevate the profile of those who have none, or little, but if I’m honest, I have to admit that I still want to hang on to that little piece of privilege that comes with power and influence, so I hesitate… I hedge my bets just a little.
Jesus help me completely abandon my need to preserve power, and simply walk in yours…
Jon…This is the big challenge isn’t it? Men and women seem to crumble when power is placed in them. I echo your prayer brother….”Jesus help me completely abandon my need to preserve power, and simply walk in yours…”
Nick – you kept the words fresh by looking at what happened on Monday night. As I listen to my daughter and her generation on their apathy towards politics because they see it only as games, I wonder if it’s actually possible for someone to come into a position of political significance that holds that kind of power of which you and MaryKate speak. “One doesn’t need to look very far to see that power is most often used to protect and preserve our own status and agenda.” Isn’t that the truth?! – it’s about protecting and preserving over against the generative ability of power. Love your words, Nick, especially when you offer up MaryKate’s words on being made in the image of God – bringing God’s presence into our spheres of influence.
Nick, I agree with Mary. I think you did a great job of connecting this week’s reading to real time events happening on the theatre of American politics. Great work!
You are becoming quite the cultural exegete my friend!
J
“it is our calling to use the power we’ve been given to restore the powerless around us.”
Nick, your reference to the State of the Union address reminds us that there will always be people in power that are beyond our sphere of influence. It is too easy to complain and act as though there is nothing we can do, but God gives us each a sphere in which we can influence others for Christ. The point is not in the size of the sphere, but in our faithfulness to use the power that God has given us as faithful stewards.
Nick,
“Any amount of power and presence I’ve been blessed with should be used to love those around us, and to restore and empower those outside the sandbox.” I also desperately want to be the man who loves others ‘around me’ well but I continue to find it a great challenge. I’m thinking about the context of the church, how do we encourage ministry leaders and potential leaders – showing them we authentically care about them – not just what they can do for the church. Frankly what makes that such a challenge is the need to ‘make the church work’, I find myself having to be more about getting things done then about coaching and encouraging. Ugh!