Power

Lets play with the word ‘power.’  

If you do a quick word association with the word power, what do you first think of? 

I did that with myself this morning then I asked my daughter to do the same.  She answered “Electricity.”  I thought that was an excellent response.  One that did not come to my mind.

My word association went to more questions: “Good power or bad power?  Power that creates, builds, improves?  Or power that destroys and control.”

For years the word power was one I saw as less than appealing, a misuse of authority that caused — and causes — painful confusion.  Something that can oppress, degrade and ruin lives and things.

Though the years I have learned that there is a positive side to the word.  A power that allows for possibility, growth, and creates avenues of reconciliation.

In the book, 'In The Name of Jesus', Henri Nouwen writes about the third temptation of Jesus which was to be powerful — to rule the entire world. 

Nouwen asks a pointed question: “What makes the temptation of power so seemly irresistible?  Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love.  It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.” (page 55-64)

What comes to your mind when you hear the word power?

To be continued