Power

If you are like me, you don’t really want to hear any more election commentary. But as I prepared to write this, I heard a discussion on the Rebuilders podcast, which compelled me to write this…

There are a lot of words (including curse words) one could use to describe this year and its election season.  I have one friend who continues to say this year is interesting.  He says this with a slight smile and a tinge of enjoyment because, for him, he would rather live in interesting times than boring times.

Now, if you can put all the emotions aside for a minute, you have to admit it has been very interesting. In fact, the struggle for power and authority has been so interesting, I think it will take up a large section of American history textbooks in the decades to come. Here is what I think those textbooks might discuss: 

The formation of America began with a desire to be free from the fight between traditional power and institutional power.

Traditional power was represented by the monarchy in Britain. Kings and queens did not come into power through popular vote, appointment or merit. Instead, their power derived from their name, their bloodline, and the acceptance of traditional power from the people over which they ruled.

Institutional power was represented by Parliament and the Church of England. Through voting, appointments, and strategic decisions, individuals could gain power over the people by ascending to the top of the far-reaching, all-encompassing institutions. Parliament held power over the people through laws, taxes and enforcements. The church held power over people in very similar ways, but the benefits of following their rules were both peace in this life and peace in the after-life, as well. 

In America today, the battle is not between traditional power and institutional power. It is clearly a battle between institutional power and charismatic power. Though some may think I am referring to Biden and Trump alone, the reality of this battle between institutional and charismatic power shows up in many places. The power people have gained through social media followings, YouTube subscribers, blogs and podcasts, as well as celebrities in sports, film, music, and churches is incredible.

Charismatic power is not just alive and well today, it can also be seen in the very beginning of American formation. George Washington was an individual who gained enough power through charisma that the early Americans wanted to make him a king (traditional power) or a lifetime president (institutional power). Yet, he and the framers of the Constitution did not want to fall back into the traps they had left Britain to get away from, and they decided on temporary institutional power with a term-limited president. 

Now, as a Christian, I believe there is another extremely vital form of power: spiritual power.

Spiritual power is expressed nationally when the traditional, institutional, and charismatic power are all submitted to a higher power: God. We say we are one nation under God, but it is really hard to believe these days. I think we like the idea of being one nation, and under God; but more than that we like the feelings of individualism, entitlement, and justifying our version of the higher moral ground. 

I heard someone say recently that the reason America has been a truly and consistently great nation is because, in the face of crisis, challenge, even civil war, our nation cries out to God. The result of our cries have been great awakenings to repentance, renewal, and revival.

Will we respond to our “interesting” times by submitting ourselves to God and crying out for His spiritual power above all else?

Please know that I am not saying church leaders should be the true leaders of our country. I am saying that the hope for America lies in the ability of those with traditional power, institutional power, and charismatic power to acknowledge their need for spiritual power and seek God for it. Until we see that happen in our nation, we can continue to pray for our leaders, and seek God for His Spirit to empower us to do His beautiful will in our working, resting, fathering/mothering, friending, playing, and loving. 

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the spiritual heritage of our nation. Many nations have spiritual heritage, but I really, firmly believe the God that Americans have sought for help and awakening in times of need is not an American god, not a Jewish god, but the true God and Father Almighty who made the heavens and the earth. I pray we become aware of how desperately we need Him in every season and year of our lives.

David