I know the powerful people. Do you?

Power. Such a sexy word. If you are like I was, you would instantly envision a tall, good looking, rich man bursting out of his boardroom after successfully negotiating a billion dollar business deal. Ok in my mind I just described Donald Trump and maybe I sorta kinda like had a teenylittlesmallHUGELARGEGIGANTICENOURMOUS  crush on him. In your mind, maybe you envisioned someone different (probably 30 years younger and with hair) but you get the idea.

So what is power? Really, what is the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the word POWER. Money? Fame? Success? Strength? Influence? Knowledge? Popularity? Freedom?

Is power having unlimited money to be able to buy anything you want?

Is power working as a big time lobbyist or a high ranking elected offical and being able to write legislation that actually becomes public law?

Is power being a cop and having the ability to take away someones freedom?

 

Is power the glamorous prestigious life of glory and fame- at any price?

Is power being smarter than everyone else? Being one step (or ten) ahead of the rest? Knowing how to negotiate the best deal?  (Those suckers never saw it coming).

Currently, I live in The Beltway also known as The District of Columbia. DC is known to be one of the most powerful places in the world. Many "big fish in a small town" folks move to DC convinced they are going to change the world. It doesn’t take long to learn how cutthroat this town really is. Don’t get me wrong, I do love DC and I have been blessed to meet good people and find a fabulous church. But I have to consistently work to swim against a stream of a town full of people who constantly encourage me to sacrifice my principles and "play the game" to get ahead. I’ll confess, a few times I’ve let the stream catch me.  I’ve made my share of mistakes, after all I am human. But let me tell you from personal experience about the power game, it is an ugly, messy, muddled, bloody, and ruthless game. No career or social move is worth your soul (no matter how powerful, enticing, or elite it may sound).

Ok, so right now you are probably thinking outloud "What is the point of this blog? All I learned so far is that you had a crush on Donald Trump (Creepy) and DC is cutthroat(Duh)." Keep reading, I promise I have a point! 

As a country, we are so obsessed with society’s definition of success. We often interchange power with success, but fail to realize the REAL source of ALL our power is God. To me, Donald Trump is not powerful. He is weak. Now, this blog isn’t meant to bash The Donald or The District. Trump has done good and it isn’t my place to judge. He has inspired people to get involved in Real Estate, taught others to work hard and aim high. He has had a successful career (at least by society’s standards), and let’s face it, the man has some serious financial skills. But his downfall is his arrogance. Trump acts as if he achieved these things ALONE. Power means nothing unless it is used for good and is attributed to the real source: God.

Now please. Don’t walk away after reading this and think God doesn’t want you to be successful, because he does- but in HIS Glory. The true meaning of success is to live out GODS agenda, not our own. Living God's will is not about us, it is about HIM. When we trade in our own personal agenda in exchange for Gods, the weight is lifted off our shoulders because we are putting our trust in his will. I know this isn’t easy. There are times he will challenge us. Maybe the direction he wants us to go, isn’t the direction we want to, or maybe we don’t think we have the (skill, ability, patience, grace, time, money insert other random excuse here). However, Truly Powerful people understand Money, Fame, Success, Strength, Influence, Knowledge, Popularity and Freedom, do not equal power. They understand the real source of their power comes from God and him alone. 

I once thought Donald Trump was one of the most powerful people on earth. I actually met him. I shook his hand in his NYC boardroom and talked with him for a moment. I thought I was the luckiest girl on earth. I was convinced this was the defining moment in my career… I had made it big!

Now, through fresh eyes, I view powerful people as those who have achieved success yet ALWAYS attribute it to God. I realize I know many powerful people in my own life and I am convinced they are more powerful than Trump. I feel very blessed to know them.

The 2 guys who work for an award winning international firm, who always attribute their success to God. They are the true definition of power using their talent to live out God’s will.

The new friend who is starting his own business who always reminds me to trust God, no matter what. His unwavering faith in God is power.

The guy who wants to run for office someday who uses the power of God’s word to live a life of integrity.

The guy who is a tireless advocate for educating our youth. He uses every chance he can to remind us results are more important than politics. His support for our youth and search for the truth is power.

The press secretary who is never afraid to proclaim her faith.  Her ability to proudly declare she is a Christian is power.

The old friend one who ALWAYS takes the time to answer my questions on the bible, life, faith, and God. I am absolutely convinced, God has chosen him as a messenger and his ability to let God speak through him is power.

The Marine who proudly serves his country, using his witty humor to bring joy and shine Gods love to the lives of those living in darkness is power.

The inspiring artist, who uses the talents God gave her to draw beautiful works of art that bring joy to all who see them. Her ability to tap into her natural talent and  praise God for her success is power.

The lady who worked for little pay, but her love and gift of writing had the ability to touch so many people and truly change lives. She always put others above her own needs and her strong faith in God is power.

A special soul from back home, who has been through adversity, hit rock bottom, and insisted his faith was what got him through. He bravely wrote about his personal troubles, inspiring others to turn to God in times of despair. His ability to humble himself  and lead others to God is power. If you are reading this (and you know who you are) I love you dearly, and I am so proud of you.

I know the real powerful people, and you do too. They are in all of our lives. You interact with them everyday... you just may not have realized it yet. Today I challenge you to open your eyes and look around. Seeing Gods powerful agenda work through others, humbled me, and it can humble you too.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you" Psalm 32:8