Power.
The news is full of people wanting it.
From Zimbabwe comes news of a man who cannot bear the thought that he might lose power. In America potential presidential candidates are spending huge sums to try to convince the electorate that they are the best hope for their nation.
In the worldwide Anglican Church different groups develop their strategies to try to ensure that their particular point of view prevails.
Here are people who say "I am the president" or "I am the best" or "I am right". And do you remember how Muha
mmed Ali used to say, "I am the greatest"?
When Moses had an encounter with God and asked what name God wanted to go by, he got the reply, "I am". That's all. God didn't have to add anything.
Moses is held in high regard by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the one who led the people of God out of slavery to freedom.
Something like twelve or thirteen centuries before the time of Jesus, he understood that God was not interested in suppressing people, but in setting them free.
The power these human beings want is a power over other people; they
want to dominate.
Therefore they set out their reasons, their qualifications for us to vote for them or support them or follow them.
God, on the other hand, has power to set people free without dominating.
That power leaves us free to choose whether we accept or reject what is offered.
This is shown in the life of Jesus, who invited people into relationship with him. He saw some come to him, and others turn away.
He did not use force, but simply offered himself.
That is the power of love.
Canon Robert Parsons
Vicar of St Peter, Belper,
and St Luke, Heage
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