Our warning sign for when we’re having a hard time embracing our powerlessness.

Our warning sign for when we’re having a hard time embracing our powerlessness

Choose all of our actions all of the timeChange other people

Choose some of our actions some of the time

Even with that limited power, we often use that power to hurt people or to compete with them for what is in their power – i.e. we often abuse power

In the NT, “The Powers” are those systems of domination and control that abuse people – they are often a mix of spiritual and human evil. And we are often caught up in perpetuating them.

We can create a context in which it’s easier for us and other people to choose the right thing

And, paradoxically, the best way to create this context is by embracing powerlessness – i.e. refusing the path of domination (our best/loving power is in being powerless)

We grant and submit to the appropriate authority of those who have earned it or are in roles that we accept

This is lending power not giving it awayNo one has authority over what we believe or

understand as true – how we interpret our experience

An “authoritative account” is one that has an appropriate reputation as a sincere and helpful witness to people’s experience

Temptations in the wilderness (refusal of inappropriate power)

Cross – ultimate symbol of failure and powerlessness

Apocalypse as recognition of powerlessness (newness often comes after the death of the old rather than in fixing it – Jesus wasn’t able to “fix” Judaism or Roman Imperialism)

(Perhaps we can’t fix Christianity?)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,   did not regard equality with God   as something to be exploited, but emptied himself,   taking the form of a slave,   being born in human likeness.And being found in human form,    he humbled himself   and became obedient to the point of death—   even death on a cross.

Accept, with love and forgiveness, the choices that others make (and our own mistakes, failures)

Accept the very real cost of what this might mean for us (picking up our cross daily)

Choose radical trust (that trusting in God and accepting powerlessness is truly the best way)

Make our appropriate choices that affect the context in which we and others make our future choices

Hunter-gatherers and permaculture

Old and new ways to submit to (nurture) the ecosystem instead of dominating it

Average American use of energy

Think of our most intense frustrations in recent days

What are we feeling powerless to do?What could we choose to accept (and what

would it cost us)?Example of a little and a big frustration

If you feel like it – share an example of being frustrated lately and what it would cost to let go or accept the powerlessness of the situation

What good might come of embracing powerlessness?

Consider the examples around the table and think of what the examples have in common

What would have to happen for us to be “good at” embracing our powerlessness?