Powerless

It was 4:55 AM when Sean arrived at the end of a long line of passengers waiting to show their airline tickets and IDs, and then to pass through security. His flight was at 6:11. A security guard announced, “Display liquids in a quart-sized see-through bag. All liquids must be no more than 4 ounces and in their original containers. For each person who does not follow the rules, the line slows down by 5 minutes.” At 6:05, Sean reached the first level of security and showed his ID and ticket to the woman attendant, and then put his coat, luggage, shoes, pen, glasses, and laptop into the gray plastic bins. He walked through the metal detector. “Stop!” ordered the metal detector guard, adding “Ticket and ID!” “I just showed them to that woman five feet away. They’re inside my coat in the x-ray machine.” “Step back out and out of the way!” ordered the guard. Sean respectfully stepped back. “Ticket in a coat pocket!” announced the guard. Meanwhile, several travelers passed through the metal detector. After retrieving his ticket, Sean proceeded. “STOP!” shouted the guard, “STEP BACK!! YOU WALK TOO QUICKLY. DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR PERSON A CELL PHONE, MONEY, OR A BELT?” Sean humbly removed his belt and stepped hesitantly through the detector. “STOP!!!” shouted the guard. “BACK UP!! WALK THROUGH LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!!!” Thoroughly humiliated, Sean dashed and caught his flight.

To live humbly is different than being humiliated by power.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, forgive those who abuse their positions of power. Teach them humility. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Do nothing from self-satisfaction, but in humility regard others as better than you.

Source:
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” NRSV