The litmus test of power

It seems to me

that a litmus test

for whether one "gets" Jesus

and has that transforming presence

we call the Spirit

is how one deals with power

if when one gets a 'sniff' of power

one grabs hold of it, and starts to aggressively use it

and even abuse it

if one delights in power

and comes "out of the closet"

using their new found influence

to coerce

or to fleece the faithful

to pursue retribution

or wealth

then that is a strong indicator

that the connection is weak at best

and they do not understand Sacred Presence

nor Sacred Power

it suggests that they may well be a branch

separated from the source of life and live

are well on the way

to drying up

shriveling

withering

becoming hard

and brittle

and ultimately dead

if on the other hand

power scares one

if one becomes humbled by power

and handles it with care

not for one's own benefit

but for the benefit of the "little ones"

if power is translated into

welcome

and generosity

forgiveness

and service

then that is a strong indicator

that the Presence is strong within them

that the wind blows

and the fire burns

that God’s love and power

(what a combination)

flows into them

making them resilient

alive

and fruitful

and the fruit

is love

always love