Power In An Upside-Down World

Read 1 Peter 5:1-5 (NRSV)
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ 

²³⁴⁵

Questions for Personal Reflection from Kathy Sizer
When have you seen leadership in which the cost of success was too high?

Who has modeled the shepherding, humble use of power in your life?
 

Does pride grow in your life? Here are some signs.

• Do you need to be right?…Can you admit a mistake?
• Do you think of yourself as the only one who can see things clearly? . . . How do you talk about people who disagree with you?
• Do you talk about yourself a lot? . . . Are you more invested in being heard than in hearing?
• As you read this list—did you think of other people it applies to……not yourself?

Ponder C.S.Lewis 's test as to whether one is prideful:    

If you want to find out how proud you are, ask,
“How much do I dislike it when other people snub me,
or refuse to take any notice of me, or patronize me or show off?”

How do you need to "tie on" the "humility garment" today?

Prayer

by Walter Brueggemann 

We imagine ourselves self-sufficient and then we run short. . .

short of time, short of life, short of stamina, short of newness.

We find our future closed off and at risk

and we with varying degrees of resolve and determination

and panic and despair,

find ourselves—surprisingly—back in your presence,

waiting, receiving, invited to gratitude.

We wait and we receive and we thank…

because you are the only Lord of the Future,

you are the one who births at the eleventh hour,

you are the one who comes to barrenness and makes new,

you promise like the stars for number

while we count according to the old math.

You are out beyond us.

We are staggered, stunned, awed.

And so we come to worship you.