Powerlessness
The first word that comes to mind for me when I contemplate this word is weakness. It is difficult for me to envision that God would want his followers to be weak, so I wanted to understand this idea of being powerless. Christ called his followers to be like Christ. If we are supposed to live our lives incarnationally then we need to approach culture with a position of powerlessness. Christ lived his life in a powerless position. He had every right to approach people in a position of power, but he chose to humble himself and be powerless to society. Then we find that Jesus calls us to be missional and live in a powerless state of mind. Powerlessness is radically counter culture. Powerlessness goes against everything sought after in our current culture. In our culture power gives people identity and meaning. Jesus calls us to live incarnationally because we find our identity and meaning in him and not in power. To live incarnationally is to live humbly and understand that God has created everyone with purpose. Power in this sense is an illusion of dominance. This dominance degrades God’s creation, and disposes equality. Who are we to understand God let alone his creation apart from Christ? God calls his followers to be in an active loving relationship with him. Relationship is based on balance. Without balance relationships turn to neglect and abuse. God calls us to love not only our neighbors but our enemies as well. We have no problem humbling ourselves before God, yet we seek power over others. God calls us to humble ourselves even before our enemies. Christ’s sacrifice is the greatest example of powerlessness.
-Cory