Changemakers,
Perhaps you know the song “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the musical Funny Girl. The second phrase goes: “Don’t tell me not to fly, I simply got to. If someone takes a spill, it’s me and not you. Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my parade?” Many a gay man has been threatened with the revocation of his “gay card” for not knowing the song or showing no interest in musicals. A phrase of similar sentiment I learned volunteering with L.Y.R.I.C. (Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center) was “Don’t yuck my yum.”
Don’t disempower me!
Many good intentions have led down the path to disempowerment. And, in a worldview of scarcity, the zero-sum game (a situation in game theory where one person’s gain is precisely balanced by another person’s loss, resulting in a net sum of zero) is employed. This is the modus operandi of many seeking power and control. As they disempower others; as they chortle and sing a victory song like “Under My Thumb” by The Rolling Stones.
And then there is Jesus. The one who came to empower and restore us, to help us see the possibility of our participation in creating “heaven on earth.”
As we bring The Changemakers series to a close on Sunday, we will be looking at Mark 10:46-52 “The Healing of Bartimaeus” as a story of empowerment, which is as essential as compassion, collaboration, and creativity are in being a force of positive change in the world. I look forward to seeing you at 10 am on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream. Share the Good News!
Love,
Rev. Michael