ENDURING POWER!

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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Abraham Lincoln

Power is like perfume. Elusively enjoyable, yet cunningly self absorbing. If you abuse it by wearing too much, you begin to smell-bad. Wearing it sparingly gives you a winning aura that is very attractive. There's a delicate balance between drowning in too much perfume and just enough to send the sweet smell of success.

The most powerful men and women I've admired, never abused their power...Probably because they never sought it. Their belief system, their faith and the example of their lives earned them a reputation for being some of the most highly respected people in the world. The unwavering sacrifice of their lives for the benefit of others-even in the face of great adversity-lifted them to a higher level of authority.

Mother Teresa, lived among the poorest of the poor, on the streets of Calcutta, ministering to the most neglected human castaways. She taught us that authentic leadership is rooted in moral integrity and unconditional Love.

A pastor for the world, Pope John Paul II left an enduring legacy of power, by putting his entire life in the hands of God. His influence reached across all economic, social and cultural boundaries, as he boldly proclaimed a universal message that peace can conquer war, joy can conquer sadness and Love can conquer hate.

The example of both Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II showed us that faith matters, truth matters, freedom matters and injustice should not be tolerated.

There is only one path to authentic power. To become the person that God intended us to become. To live a life of prayer, so that we can clearly see the path that God outlined for our lives inside our human hearts.

Anything short of that-is a lie and a big letdown-to ourselves, to others and to the one true God, who gave us everything-including eternal life with him!

Comments

Neal Wilson said…
Thanks for that thought, Mary Lou, that use of power is a gauge of character. We often endurance or use of our talents as a gauge. But power is particularly helpful because there is so much abuse of power in our permissive society.
October 31, 2010
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