How to Restore Our Image Bearing Capacity
Good Morning Friends,
Last night we were at choir practice. And I am continually amazed by the remarkable property of musical notes to coexist. We sing a chord…. a set of notes sounding simultaneously and harmonizing in ways that make the chord much more than just the sum of its parts. There can be a battle between notes just as there is a battle between good and evil, light and darkness in the rhythm of our lives. But they also can be tied together in happy sounds as we enjoy the ordinary daily gifts of life resonating in our souls. It is the dynamics of sound that like power can either can make human flourishing possible in a pleasant melody like a cool breeze or can destroy the image of God in people in a cacophony and tornado of disharmony. Friends, on this the National Day of Prayer, we need to learn the role of the Holy Spirit’s harmony instructing us on How to Restore Our Image Bearing Capacity.
Scripture: So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 (NRSV)
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:1-6 (NRSV)
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
Psalm 98:1-6 (NRSV)
Message: Time and time again we have seen and heard that power corrupts as it breeds injustice and idolatry. Yet power is also the means by which we can bring life, create possibilities and offer hope for a better world. Doing this without power is not possible. The beauty is that we have great personal power. Andy Crouch in his book, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, addresses the truly tricky topic of power with this insight, “the privilege of being in a majority is you rarely have to examine your own power closely. You often are not even aware that you have it. Oddly, power is frequently most invisible to the powerful—especially the form of power that I call privilege. So perhaps it is not surprising that majority-culture Christians rarely address it.” Friends exercising power in a Christian way is to create possibilities, build up the dignity of people and increase shared capacity in ways that help the best of the human condition to flourish. We are to redeem the gift of God’s power for the common good. That takes overcoming fear and extending love. The exercise of power needs to be a foretaste of glory where there is the exchange of power but not a diminishment. One cannot really extend dignity to another by robbing it from someone else. Friends, there is a
relationship of power to teaching, learning, and knowing that needs to flourish in community. Real power is not a zero sum game where the more I have the less you have. Power, to be true and life-giving power, is exercised in the context of love. Meditate on Henry Ossawa Tanner’s painting, “The Banjo Lesson.” Doug Learned, our pastor at Moorings, shared its meaning to Andy Crouch in a 2009 presentation about Tanner’s work that inspired the book Playing God. Do not be offended by it. Tanner was not only the first African-American painter of international renown but arguably the last American painter of that stature to be a serious and devout Christian. The cords are not dissonant. Only the individual notes. Hear the hope of a new song in its brush strokes. Be healed by an amazing portrait of true power in the context of a music lesson. Experience the counterweight of Christ in culture. Experience the beloved balance to the terrible reality of violence and coercion used in our world to master and dominate. Friends, helping others to find their voice helps restore their image-bearing capacity and that is beautiful music and true power.
Pray we become better stewards of privileged power. Pray we allow the image of God to thrive in us and in those around us. Pray we fight injustice, bring peace and create beauty that brings life and hope. Pray we influence the world for good in a personal way.
Pray we live in the distributive power, perfection, prosperity, purpose and provision of God right here now. Pray we receive release of the trapped potential power in our own lives so it might be extended to institutions and communities. Pray we see the fruits of human culture brought to their deepest and fullest expression. Pray we pass on not just what we have learned but what we need to unlearn. Pray we practice harmony in the world. Pray we keep on growing in love. Pray we better understand the nature of privileged power. Pray we not be afraid to risk an attempt to resolve a note of disharmony.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 