Daniel chapter one records an interesting story of a group of young men. At a foreign "prison" university. They were being trained and taught, but not at their request. They were being fed the best palace food in Babylon. What does Daniel do?
He "leads upwards" (to use a phrase from John Maxwell). First he "gains favour" with the Palace Master Ashpanaz. But out of fear of the king he does not grant Daniel's request for veg and water in place of their usual palace rations of meat and wine. Then Daniel goes to their prison warder and negotiates a 10 day trial. The trial goes well. Ashpanaz is pleased and decides to change the policy.
Note: Influence is not gained by Authority (although authority is sometimes a product of influence)
Jesus said: unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)
The church is the "seed community" that may be the minority in society, and yet had great Influence. We do not sek to take authority through force, but instead "lead upwards" and outwards in our schools, families, cities, nation...
How does this apply? For instance, with regard to the termination of pregnancy (abortion), we are learning that our values (i.e. the divine value of life) must be expressed not only in pronoucements to government, but in compassionate care of those
who are tempted by their circumstances (fear, poverty, lack of support, etc) to take that decision. We are realising that we can change the course of history through expressing Godly authority through loving and gentle influence!
No comments:
Post a Comment