Too often, people speak of power with grand aspirations: “When I gain power, I will change things. I will change the world and make it a better place.” I have been asked if I desire power, to which I have responded affirmatively. However, my affirmation comes with a caveat: while I am drawn to the idea of power, I also fear what I might do with it. If I cannot use power to create meaningful change, I consider that power to be powerless. Thus, why would I desire it?
If you seek power, what will you do when it becomes a reality? Even with the power you currently hold, what are you doing with it, or what have you done? This question doesn’t demand an educated response; it’s a question of the heart and mind. Do you want power to fulfil a hidden ambition, to enhance your CV, or because you lack a real purpose for it in the first place? Or perhaps you have already fallen by the wayside on your path to power?
The nature of power can be compared to the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-23:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where there was not much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still, other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
In the context of power, Jesus explained that the seed along the path represents those who hear the message but don’t understand it, allowing the evil one to snatch it away. The seed on rocky ground depicts those who receive the word with joy but fall away quickly when trouble arises because they have no root. The seed among the thorns stands for those who hear the word but are choked by life’s worries and the deceitfulness of wealth, rendering them unfruitful. Finally, the seed on good soil symbolises those who hear and understand the word, producing a bountiful crop.
Which of these will you become when you hold even a little opportunity for power? Will you be like the seed along the path, allowing your plans for positive change to be snatched away? Or like the seed on rocky ground, enthusiastic about power but lacking the foundation to sustain it? Perhaps you’d be like the seed among thorns, distracted by the desire to fit in or by the lure of wealth, ultimately becoming powerless. Or will you be like the seed on good soil, determined to create meaningful change no matter the challenges?
Power is indeed a great thing, and it’s no surprise that we desire it. But if you do nothing with the power you have, you are powerless. Power exists only to the extent that you can use it to make an impact. Merely holding a position of power does not mean you truly have power. So, be careful what you wish for, as your desire for power will test you. Do you genuinely want or need power? Reflecting on this will help you understand why you should seek power and what you should do with it.
In conclusion, power is not just about the title or the position; it’s about the impact you make and the lives you touch. Real power lies in using your influence to bring about positive change, to uplift others, and to serve with integrity. As we navigate our paths, let us strive to be the seed that falls on good soil, producing a harvest of goodness, justice, and love. Let our pursuit of power be driven by a genuine commitment to making the world a better place for everyone.
