Lent 2021: A Story to Live BySample

Two powers

Reflection:

There are two kinds of power on display in this story: the power of domination, and the power of God’s dominion.

The Babylonian empire was a symbol of domination. The wealth and excess of the royal court was built off the back of military conquests – the vulnerable trodden upon so that the powerful could rise higher.

The golden gods that the king had made were a dazzling representation of this. But these three Jews refused to bow down. Because they were aware of a different kind of power. Kingdom of heaven power.

Worldly kingdoms dominate; the heavenly kingdom liberates. Worldly kingdoms marginalise; the heavenly kingdom includes. Worldly kingdoms control; the heavenly kingdom serves. Worldly kingdoms are centred on the self; the heavenly kingdom pours itself out for others.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down before the power of domination. They trusted instead in God’s dominion. They chose the power of love, not the love of power.

Prayer:

Dear God, give us the courage and conviction to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Help us to refuse the gods and images of gold in our lives. And help us to always choose love. Amen.

Author: Gideon Heugh