This observation is not too profound but it does appear everywhere we look the abuse of power is being hit head on. From the (former) grand old duke of York (the Epstein files will simply not go away) to great swathes of the prophetic movement / streams. More has to come and we still have some serious dictators who have to come in line or be removed.
I have – along with many others – watched the YouTube exposees of some of the prophetic abuses and downright fabrications with horror. Back in 2021 I warned that this was coming and about 18 months ago said to Gayle that once that has been ruthlessly purged that there will come a wave that will confront the healing movement (not saying my terms are correct with the use of ‘movement’).
What is being exposed at the core is that of the abuse of power positions. Years after the ‘interaction’ between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky was she able to say that it was abuse – abuse primarily because of the imbalance of power position. The addiction to power and the belief that things change by the exercise of power has to be broken. The prophetic abuses have to be sorted and I recall a dream I had of a European gathering that was discussing ‘prophetic protocols’ for the next phase, into which a recognised USA prophet materialised (he has passed away a few years back) as a 40 year old; he was present representing a former move but also realising that what was laid down (allowed?) as protocols in that time had led them to where it had become corrupted. I think the bottom line issue is that of power position. Why quickly restore those who have been abusive – their gift is needed seems to be the motivation. We cannot afford to go that way.
The three temptations of Jesus still stand: economy (turn the stones into bread), be hailed and honoured as from God (throw yourself down from the Temple) and use a system to change the entire world (I will give you the kingdoms = Christendom). The show of ‘the prophetic’ with names and addresses shows so clearly that such people are of God, the system as embodied in the ‘Seven mountains of influence’ and with more than sufficient dosh to get it all out is being challenged. It has to be.
Deeper than laying a new foundation (‘prophetic protocols’) is the walking away and renouncing of power and power positions. ‘Being in the form of God (not in spite of being in the form of God) Jesus laid aside his power position…’ And ‘let this mind be in you’ was the exhortation.
A year ago we rolled up the ‘queen of Europe’ from the head to the feet. Within hours came the power outage in Spain, Portugal and spilling over into France and Morroco. Power outages occur. Also signs occur as signs point us to what is taking place and they draw to themselves what they are indicating. Power outage is here.
The ‘power’ issue faces us all. It is irrelevant whether we are at the so-called ‘top’ or not. Power will not change the world – hence the forever debates that eventually are not resolved of ‘a God of love with unlimited power’ and suffering. Start with that understanding and the only way to resolve it is ‘mystery’. For some time I have been saying it is ‘presence’ that we have to manifest. Not power over, but presence with. And you shall call his name ‘Emmanuel’, meaning ‘God with us’ (beginning of Matthew’s Gospel) with the final promise in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus will be with us to the end of the age.
Presence with.
Buckle yourself in – particularly us charismatics – the ride is getting bumpy. Don’t give up on what you know… don’t get obsessed with what is out there; pay attention to what is within.
Finally on the current abuse of power in the big world… I am praying that the feeding from the next generation will not be possible. That is manifest in such issues as the economic structures of the world and the lack of care for environmental issues with the attitude it will be OK for us in our generation. A long post might be needed but I simply sow it here – the current dictators (as always) are feeding off the next generation – we need to see that supply broken – and this perpetuates their existence. Just a thought… and yes I will get to posting on Sicily ere long!
I’m currently doing an MA Couselling that is in the person centered tradition. In a group of over 30 there are 3 men including me- draw your own conclusions as this is a comment not a blog! It does make me consider how I view my own power as a white, heterosexual male and how I consciously do not use the cultural norms but lay it down for others. As the person centered approach has evolved the idea of presence has become important. The act of being with another, the vulnerability of being truly present allowing relational depth and the acknowledgment that when that happens there is something beyond the spirits of the two people that enables healing. I am privileged to be amonst those who recognise the abuse of power and care enough to care- of course, most of them have experienced that imbalance of power throughout their lives simply for being who they are.
Hi: Still working my way through Goliath’s Curse by Luke Kemp and he has a warning for those who believe that seeking power is essential to a peaceful life. Turns out violence and war is central to the establishment of state entities. ‘War drove state formation.’ ‘War wasn’t just a central contributor to Europe during that period (early modern); it was the key driver of state formation throughout history.’ Seems when there is collapse certain elites will assume they should take over and violence ensues. They often recruit young males, frequently who are already trained in the military and therefore in violence. People flee, relocate, disease and famine often follow. Hierarchal societies create this problem. Patriarchy, a gendered hierarchy, is particularly bad. Interestingly, the more authoritarian a society, the increase risk of collapse as it lacks resilience.
So as we move forward into the transformation of climate change we might want to consider how society should function. Seeking power is definitely not helpful and generally destructive. Presence, with one’s neighbors, community, and the planet itself, is going to have better results. And certainly, at least in some places, Gen Z appears to be challenging corrupt and powerful elites.
Excellent reflection Martin, timely.