Pause

Children always share traits of their parents; there's no getting away from it, even when - usually as teenagers - we want to distance ourselves from our folks.

As a child of the Divine, what traits do you see in yourself that reveal something of your heavenly Parent? In these next few moments, take a look at yourself in the mirror of Scripture and see the lines of your glorious heritage there.

Listen

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Psalm 2:2-9

Think

I once worked for an organization that helped immigrants study for the U.S. citizenship test. The students memorized facts, including the names of elected officials. One day, a senator paid a visit to the center. The students welcomed him with a banner and a cake, and we all smiled and applauded when he walked in.

The senator was gracious, but we could see he was used to this sort of reception. Wherever he went, everyone called him “Senator” and scurried to fetch whatever he asked for. I started to see how power can make people believe that they deserve special treatment, and even that they are above the law.

Campaign season is a good time for leaders and followers alike to remember that no amount of power makes a person into a god. Not one of us can fill that seat.

Sarah Councell Turner

Pray

Dear God, only you are God. Bless this nation and all the nations of the earth with wise and humble leaders. Amen.

Go

Day by day,
Oh, dear Lord
Three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.

Richard of Chichester, adapted