power

where does true power come from?

 

or perhaps we should ask,

 

where does the power for good come from?

 

for there is power, and then there is power

 

it is pretty easy to wield malignant power

to charge through life like a hit and run driver

leaving brokenness in one’s path

 

it only takes apathy

“I just don’t care!  Do you?”

 

this is the principle of “least love”

the less you love, the greater your ability

to use power on other people

 

to manipulate, to coerce, to use and abuse

 

if I care less about you than you do about me

I have power over you

if my only concern is my wants and needs

I have power over you

 

we must respect the power we have to do harm

 

but there is another kind of power

the power of love

 

that power that heals and restores

gives and forgives

while at the same time

 

leaving the one wielding that power

healthy

 

Jesus gave us the secret to this power where he said

Love all that is Sacred with all your heart

and while you are at it

love the people around you, all of them

and while you are at it

love your self

 

the secret of course (as Paul so aptly puts it)

is the Energy of God in us

(all the persons of the Trinity whirling in our souls)

 

it is that connection with have with Love

that permeates us with love

so that we can love

 

so that we can love ourselves

but love beyond ourselves

love beyond our group or tribe

 

the power to harm is truly present

we all at times use this power

as we detach ourselves, separate ourselves

as we wander into a toxic individualism

that doesn’t care about the other

 

it is a power that has a great impact

but ultimately is a false power

for it destroys not only those around us

but it destroys us

 

the power to heal is also present

and most of us, at times, use this power

working as best we can to “overcome evil with good”

 

the difference between the two is simple

one is the power of least love

the other is the power of love

 

this day, I will do my best

to choose love