But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its various expressions. Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
Power Issues – The Spirit Series – Part 7
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8
Reflection
I know what its like to be frustrated and impatient; to feel a great sense of urgency for change and reform. I know what it's like to look around my neighbourhood and be gripped with a feeling of, “things have to change.” I know what it's like to look at my country and feel shame and embarrassment over the things my government has done and over the things that they won’t do. I know what it's like to want to take matters into my hands, to “make things happen” – the right things; I’ve wanted to make people see, make people believe, silence some and free others, I’ve wanted control over situations… and let's be honest, sometimes I wish I had the power to take over and make the choices that need to be made.
(Too much honesty?) I bet some of you can relate.
The long walk that Jesus took from the town square to Calvary; the way he laid himself down on that cross and submitted to the journey of death; when he prayed, “forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34); he showed us that power and might, domination and control, violence and usurpation, are not the only ways to change the world.
His way is more challenging than the credit we give it. Getting angry, manipulating, abusing power, and even lying and deceiving to gain control and authority seem like an easier way to get things done at times. You don’t have to get tangled up in the stories of people's lives – the why and the what and the who – you just get the job done. After all, the end justifies the means, right?
Never.
Violence is loud; terror has an evil strength; wealth has a display of dominance… but these things bring about a fear based, crippling, soul destroying change.
Transcendent change, change that sounds like Gospel-Good-News, only comes about through spirit. Faith and hope and love; the hard work of unity and listening and story; mercy and grace and compassion; forgiveness and repentance and vulnerability; authenticity and courage and openness.
Paul wrote to his friends in Galatia and said,
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its various expressions. This love is revealed through:
Joy that overflows,
Peace that subdues,
Patience that endures,
Kindness on display,
A life full of virtue,
Faith that prevails,
Gentleness of heart,
and Strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” (Gal 5:22-23 TPT)
Limitless.
Choose Spirit. Breath of God. Breath of humanity. The essence of life and being itself. Y-H-V-H. This treasure we have in our jars-of-clay-bodies. (Side Note: Heaven is closer than we know).
Zechariah and his friends looked out over a destroyed Jerusalem and had it in their heart to rebuild it.
Sarah knew she couldn’t conceive the child that God promised her.
Mary gave birth to a revolutionary miracle.
Jesus showed us a new way, a way beyond force and power, domination and control, a way to change the world from the inside out:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
Go to Part 8 – Where Could I Go From Your Spirit »
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