Final Thoughts
“Any last thoughts, my Lord?”
“’My Lord’ I love it!!! When you first came in you were so formal and were thinking of me as a third party, a distant entity. Now I have become your Lord.”
“Well, it only seemed right that I spent a couple hours with you and really appreciate what you have done and who you are…yeah, I feel like I can be one of your followers.”
“Does that mean you will be one of my prophets, son?”
“I guess.” I was just as non-committal as I had been several hours ago, but I thought I had some direction now and the Lord had really given me some solid advice. Furthermore, if Moses could say no several times, why couldn’t I hedge my acceptance just once?
“Sam, one of my favorite quotes about power is from Lord Acton who said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Do you agree with that, Sam?”
“I guess. You have shown me numerous examples of those who abused power or wanted power at all costs such as Korah, as well as many of the Israelite kings and priests, and I remember from Bible school how David’s sons Absalom did whatever it took to obtain power. But our discussion today has showed me that several of your messengers had significant power and they did not abuse it. You have absolute power, and while you undertook some dramatic measures with Noah during the flood, over the past several millennia you have not exerted absolute power.”
“Nice one, son. But let’s focus on humans.”
“Lord, I guess my answer would be no, power doesn’t have to corrupt absolutely. It is only when someone wants to abuse that power that it becomes intoxicating and then it becomes an aphrodisiac to obtain more power.” I liked that line and knew I should remember to write that down. I started jotting that down on my notepad.
“Son, I like your quote as well. It leads me to another quote I like. “Power can be taken but not given. The process of the taking is empowering.” Gloria Steinem said that. I like her style. I disagree with the first part because power can be given and shared with others. Remember my point about the flame and how it can be shared. However, I strongly agree with the second part because for some, the search for power is the game itself.”
The Lord continued. “Getting power over another person often leads a person to losing power over themselves. Thus, leaders need to have a moral compass to point them in the right direction to avoid being ensnared in power’s pull to the dark side. Those who are under a ruthless despot can feel the pressure of being under their thumb even years after the thumb has been removed.”
The Lord looked deep into my eyes, and I guess into my soul. Then he continued.
“I really wasn’t interested in giving the Israelites a king, but they demanded a king so they could be like all the other nations. I guess it was harder for them to come to a consensus so they felt it would be easier to have someone tell them what to do than to figure it out themselves. That is why I demanded that every future king need limits and a guidebook. Any future king would need to limit how many horses, wives, and how much wealth they could accumulate. Besides these restrictions, a king was supposed to write their own Bible and carry it around with them wherever they went (Deuteronomy 17:16-20). These rules were designed to limit the power, or search for power kings might have. More importantly, they had to realize that my laws were the rule and that all their actions needed to comport with the Biblical commands. So many of the Israelite kings and many current leaders use their position to enrich themselves rather than enrich the ones who appoint them. These leaders do not realize that true power is not in trying to get as much for yourself as possible, but rather through giving away as much as others to those who need it.”
The Lord was giving a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘power grab’. It just dawned on me that when people are grabbing power or anything else, their hands are clenched. Like they are fighting. However, when they are giving, whether charity or power, their hands are open- in peace.
The Lord smiled- “Sam that is a great analogy…can I use that?”
“Of course you can.”
The Lord continued. “Who has the greatest power?
He paused.
“Oh, you want me to answer…” I was so used to the Lord’s rhetorical questions. “I guess it would be those who can give it away to others.”
“Very good, Sam. The person who I admire the most is the one who has power but does not use it. That is truly self-control. Thus, leaders and managers should try to give away power or not use it as ways to show their true strength. It is often referred to an empowering other and when a manger gives authority to subordinates to do their job without having to ask for permission for all minor steps, an employee can soar…and a manager can lessen their burden. That is what I hope I can do with you- give you some power to inspire others- and I have a feeling you will not abuse that power.”
The Lord’s image on the “I Want You” posters on the screen all started pointing their fingers at me. That was some peer pressure…from someone way out of my league.
“Son, you can show so much power and strength by giving charity. Charity is the vehicle by which humans can show they are kind and compassionate…such as. that they are holy and god-like. That is a perfect example of giving something away that increases the power of the one who gives something away. You can also show strength by being in the middle, not to strict, and not too lenient. In the desert Cur was considered too strict and the people killed him. Aaron was so interested in making peace that people took advantage of him with the Golden Calf. It was Moses who had just the right balance.”
The screen changed to a statue of Lady Justice with her scales. Out from the side of the screen came a large finger and tipped the scales to one side. There were numerous people trying to jump on the other side of the scale to balance things out…but to no avail. The scene drove home the point that with the power of the Lord, someone can tip the balance of justice and power against those who are trying to do bad.
“Sam, it is more than just trying to balance power between competing interests. Leaders also need to make meaningful contributions to the lives of those they lead. That is a true calling. Most people never find out what their calling is. It could be that someone is on this earth for a simple purpose such as helping an elderly person cross the street. People don’t know. There are those who know what their calling is. There are those who accomplish their calling just by showing up. They just do not know. I know because I have assigned everyone a mission. Leaders are given even more missions-they just must figure that out. Your contribution is teaching others.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” said the Lord.
“Who is that?”
“Sam, let me introduce you to Moses. He will drive you back home. He just received his driver’s license several years ago, but he is great. He was the one who drove you here. He needs to use GPS on my orders- 40 years in the desert did not help him with his directional challenge. Now with a GPS I finally trust him to drive others around.”
I fell out of my chair. That wasn’t the best look for me.
“Hello,” I stammered.
Moses looked like an average person. He was in his mid-50s. Long beard, sunburned, average height and weight. What threw me more than just who he was, was the fact he was dressed in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
“Welcome to the team, Sam. I have heard so much about you and I look forward to working with you.”
The Lord just dropped the mic on me.
