Power dynamic

Judges 9:8-15
The trees once went out
to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us.’
The olive tree answered them,
‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil
by which gods and mortals are honoured,
and go to sway over the trees?’
Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us.’
But the fig tree answered them,
‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness
and my delicious fruit,
and go to sway over the trees?’
Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us.’
But the vine said to them,
‘Shall I stop producing my wine
that cheers gods and mortals,
and go to sway over the trees?’
So all the trees said to the bramble,
‘You come and reign over us.’
And the bramble said to the trees,
‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you,
then come and take refuge in my shade;
but if not, let fire come out of the bramble
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Power may enable

lending strength

drawing out wisdom

enhancing all that is already present

weaving together 

gifts and desires

facilitating harmony

 Creator and creation

working together as one

Power may corrupt

taking us from that to which we are called

bringing out the worst

instead of the best

scorching all in its path

trampling

devouring

leaving no room

for anything other

than singular vision

and purpose

We choose the dynamic

by the way we hold power

holding on tightly

or openly sharing

and by the way we respond

to the power of others

being caught up in drama

or quietly subverting

Choosing to enable or corrupt

The dynamic of power