To the side of yet another ...

---

It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. -Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 NLT

---

The most fleeting of power is the political variety. The past year has shown us the loss of power in countries like Libya and Egypt where dictators were overthrown - history is filled with such leaders. Every four years in the United States we elect a new leader - we have chosen to limit the power of one man to a maximum of eight years. Regardless the country, the words of Solomon in these verses is true, political power is so very temporary and so very limited.

I think that men in particular are attracted to political power. We see in the gospels a stark contrast between the uber-political pharisees and the seemingly nonpolitical Jesus. These men, in their quest for political power, seemed to challenge the authority of Christ at every turn. Yet Jesus Christ had an influence, power and authority that was based in love and not subject to human authority. Love is the true authority and power in the Kingdom of god.

Help us Lord to know of the true power that we have when we love.

---