Okay, a raise of hands – who has seen power and influence leaving someone at the end of their rope? After seemingly being at the top, they had come to a place of throwing the towel in to quit, or even worse, being forced out. Maybe you’ve been there, waiving the white flag at your business, your competitor, your opponent, an enemy or your spouse, a friend, the church, and maybe even life itself. And before all of that, things seemed so good with the status of power and influence. How did that happen?
Is it the End or a New Beginning
It can look bad being at the end of your rope, so let us turn our focus on encouraging words focused on Power and Influence. Let’s take a look specifically at who YOU are. Don’t let this leave you at the end of your rope.
For instance, let’s take Nebuchadnezzar for example:
Daniel 4:34-37
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Look What I Did!
Nebuchadnezzar, as emperor of Babylonia, made great achievements economically and with the military. But unlike you and I, not able to relate of course 😉, he got into this mindset that it was all about him. “Look what I accomplished,” said Nebuchadnezzar.
King Neb wasn’t on board with God’s purpose. He wasn’t concerned about the greater cause. This sounds to me a bit like the finite game of business, of ruling, of power and influence (The Infinite Game, Sinek).
Ever not been recognized for something you did or played a major role in? Join the club. Or maybe you did get recognized and you allowed pride to overtake you. Because this happens the question is, how did you respond? I’m pleading the 5th on this one. So I, like Nebuchadnezzar, failed to recognize that God had allowed me to accomplish my tasks or goals. For me, no other way was this possible, but yet I wanted the credit. Thank God for His mercy and grace!
Becoming Humble or Being Humbled
Long story short, King Neb got humbled! His time ran out on using people with his power and influence. Daniel warned the king through his interpretation of the king’s dream, and the king didn’t heed the warning. He lost everything and became like an animal (vv. 32-33). The good news for King Neb was that he was restored by a merciful God (v. 34), and became even greater than before (v. 36). For a greater cause.
It’s our choice to be(come) humble or be humbled.
Power and Influence with the wrong focus can lead you to the end of your rope.
We can learn lessons from others regarding the old saying, “Glad it was you and not me.” Well, sometimes the best way to learn is from the mistakes of others or even better, to learn from the Word of God. God never bestows positional and personal power as an end in itself. It is always a trust to be exercised with stewardship for the benefit of others:
- to protect (feel safe),
- to provide for (at an appropriate level), and
- to give others an opportunity to be a part of a greater cause.
2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
As Swithfoot would say, “Don’t chase your tail and the rising sun…”
Challenge of the Week
To what extent are you seeking to use your God-given influence? Check yourself in your service to others this week. Make note of one thing you did this coming week, either to protect someone, to care for someone, or to provide the appropriate provision for someone. Let’s reflect Jesus in what we do. So be it!
