Scripture Reading, Aug. 23 -- Mark 10:42-45 - "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Power is one of God's greatest trusts, but also one of humanity's greatest temptations.

Power can build or break, heal or harm, liberate or oppress. The question is not whether we have power-for each of us does, whether through words, position, wealth, or influence-but how we use it. Jesus turns the world's understanding of power upside down. In His kingdom, greatness is not measured by domination but by service.

Authority is not to control others but to lift them up. At ...