In a symbolic gesture in St. Peter's Square last week, Pope
Francis released two doves of peace after praying for peace in the Ukraine.
Then (symbolically), the just-released doves were attacked by a black crow and
a sea gull. Short of a few feathers, the doves broke free and flew
away, their ultimate fate unknown.
It’s hard to imagine a more fitting picture of failed attempts at peacemaking. From the birth of civilization to the present, the world suffers violence. So, nations seek peace.
Leaders negotiate for it. Millions pray for it. Militaries fight for it. Imagine a leader who could promise world peace.
But that won't happen until Christ returns: “The government shall be upon His shoulder; and His
Name shall be called the Prince of Peace. And of the increase of His
peace there shall be no end…” (Isa. 9:6-7). Ignorant of this, however, the world's quest for peace continues, until the arrival of a false man of peace, the Antichrist (Dan. 8:25) who will swoop down like a bird of prey on people who are as naïve as doves.
The largest power failure in history (since electricity) occurred last month! No, not the one in the Mid-Atlantic states, but one in India that affected 670 million people, nearly 10% of the world’s population. While some Americans (and probably some Indians too) may have been mostly annoyed that Starbucks was closed, the real danger, of course, was the lack of energy to homes and hospitals for air conditioning and medical equipment. Without power, people die.
But that pales in comparison to the greatest power failure in human history: the day Adam sinned, after which, “death spread to all men” (Rom 5:12). Despite that, men tried to be powerful in their own right. They built cities, and eventually the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4), a monument to their abilities and achievements: man power. But it failed, as did all subsequent attempts at self-empowerment!
And even though, at new birth, God’s power is turned back on: resident within us (Acts 1:8), most of us experience personal power shortages all too frequently. And these are the moments to ask ourselves if we have built any towers of self-reliance, because our attempts at self-empowerment will always result in power failure. And in the spiritual realm just as in the physical, without power, people die.
There are two sides to every story, right? Think about the story of the wedding at Cana from the hostess’ point of view—possibly one of the worst, most humiliating days of her life—the day she ran out of wine (John 2). This first installment of Jesus’ ministry is followed by many such others—of people running out of something and His offer of fulfillment.
It's pretty elementary. Nothing lasts. Only Jesus. The gospel stories illustratae this fact. For example, the woman at the well was daily running out of water; Jesus offered Himself as living water (Jn. 4:10). When the crippled man sitting by the pool of Bethesda had run out of hope (John 5), Jesus restored his health and his hope. And when the multitudes ran out of food, Jesus offered Himself as the bread of life (John 6-7). The message is that His supply of grace, love, hope, joy, peace, and power will never run short: “out of His fullness we have all received” (John 1:16).
But Jesus patiently waits until our natural talents and abilities run their course. That’s when we discover that in the fullness of Jesus we are complete (Col. 2:9-10). I think the best day of the Cana Wedding hostess’ life was that day she ran out of wine.
As a marriage counselor, I know that the balance of power and control is an issue in every relationship. Typically partners experience ‘power struggles’ early in the marriage—one partner perceives the other has more power in making decisions. Underlying every power struggle is the fear of losing control. In a healthy relationship, loving trust and mutual submission replace fear.
Likewise, as God's children, we experience ‘power struggles’ with Him until we learn to be content with His leadership (Phil. 4:11; Heb. 5:8). Unfortunately, we are all too much like deprived two-year old's, characterized more by our tantrums and pouting than by quiet submission.
The prophet Isaiah describes Israel’s power struggle with God in these words: The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, `No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle. (Is. 30:15-17).
Like a loving, patient parent who waits for the child’s tantrum to cease, so the LORD still waits for us to come to him so he can show us his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them (Is. 30:18). When will you stop trying to be in control? The power struggle exists only because you refuse to give up yours.
