After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house. . . . But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. (2 Sam. 11:27)
Expanded Passage: 2 Samuel 11:18-27
Every new follower felt like a quick hit to my ego. Every “like” was a boost to my self-esteem. I found my sense of worth ebbing and flowing with the algorithms. It did not take me long in the modern world of social media to realize how attractive (and addictive) this type of influence could be. We want to live lives of meaning, which is a good thing, but so often we confuse attention with influence and power with pleasing God.
As we can see from David’s string of coverups, if power is our aim, then we are often left grasping. A desire for the spotlight or a spotless reputation can snowball as we strive to be at the top or appear perfect, leaving a trail of hurt and harm in our wake.
But when we hold up David’s story against the life of Jesus, what we see is that the pursuit of power might build kingdoms, but it is not the way of God’s kingdom. There are people who grasp for power and control, no matter the cost, and there are people who lay their power down for the good of others. The second way is the way of Jesus. The second way is how we practically learn “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [our] God” (Mic. 6:8).
Ask God to help you embrace humility in positions of influence.
Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
