Power Tripping

I am desperately seeking a Playstation 3. I know that PS3s are not hard to find, but I need to get a hold of the 60 or 80 GB version because they are the only ones that are backward compatible, and believe me… the Addis’ have invested in Playstation history.

So, I have been on a hunt. As a modern man I am not driven to grunt out an existence hunting caribou on the tundra plains with my fellow tribal herdsman. Instead, I just hit the Spangles drive-thru.

So, to pacify all of the testosterone driven energy inherent to all males of my species to hunt and provide for the clan, I turn to the only outlet known to our kind: the procurement of high-end electronics.

Me hunt long time. Scour plains of internet for weeks. Brave dark caves of pawn shops. Learn ways of the classified paths. Even cry out to fellow warriors of KWBW Partyline, but there no answers be.�

I know everything there is to know about these machines. I know they were made for only a short time, that they are not longer in production, I know their specs, ups, downs, ins and outs.

That’s probably why I went over the tipping point last week when I stopped into a Gamestop in McPherson on my hunt. I asked the teenage cashier behind the counter, “By any chance, do you guys have a Playstation 3, 60 GB version.”

Without any hesitation he looked me right int he eye and said, “No such thing, they don’t exist.”

Just then, the phone rang behind the counter and he answered it. Another pet peeve of mine, by the way, a paying customer is standing right in front of you, but you choose to answer the phone as a priority over them.

In this case, it was probably a good choice. I think it saved his life.

In an instant my mind responded:

“They don’t exist! Thanks be to God I ran into you. I have been living a lie. There is apparently as HUUUUUGGGEEE conspiracy afoot trying to convince people all around the world about the scarcity of a product that doesn’t even exist. That’s BRILLIANT marketing Sony, genius! I am flabbergasted! Thank you so much teenage dispenser of wisdom. If you had not taken time to wake me from my slumber of stupidity I would have potentially forever wandered in the darkness of my ignorance…. thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Like I said, it’s a good thing he answered the phone.

I know this may qualify as a slight over-reaction, but it is simply a response to a daily dose of what you and I experience everyday; the power trip.

This teenage boy was large and in-charge in his retail kingdom. When you live in that world it messes with your head. You do, and say crazy stuff. Your thoughts are not your own!

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, even if its only around the absolute ‘Gamestop’ universe.

Don’t think too harshly about this kid (or me for that matter), we all have power trip issues. Everyone has a Kingdom and in that world we have to be very careful that we don’t let our head, heart and mouth get out of control.

Our kingdom may be at work, or with a group of friends, or even with a couple of little one’s at home. Wherever it is, we need to make sure we do not allow the power to trip us out.

In Acts 5 the authorities started power tripping on the disciples. God was doing amazing stuff through the apostles, even to the extent that people falling into Peter’s shadow were being healed (Acts 5:15), and when people started following them the power trip started.

You’ve heard of the Bermuda triangle? Well, how about the square of triptitude, the cube of powertivity, the rhombus of rumble, or maybe we should just outline the four signs you might be power tripping. In this story there were four overt responses in the lives of the authorities that showed their hearts.
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ac 5:17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

1. JEALOUSY – Not being happy when good things happen to, or for other people is just wrong. It’s a sign there is something wrong within you. Jealousy has many faces, but we know when we are feeling it.

24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ac 5:24). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

2. PUZZLED – Flustered, confused and agitated. While these can be naturally occurring, God is not the author of confusion. If you seek Him and still stay puzzled, there is a good chance your lack of clarity is the result of you not heading in the direction He wants you to go.

 

26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ac 5:26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

3. FEAR – The primary motivation of the power tripper. Fear of losing position, face, time, authority, prestige. Unfortunately, when you’re afraid almost nothing else makes sense except doing whatever it takes to not be afraid anymore.

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ac 5:33). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

4. FURIOUS – Anger ends up being the most common result of power tripping because those on this trip never get where they are going. And, it is frustrating!

We all power trip, because we all have our own kingdoms. So what do we do?

Realize and acknowledge your power trip, that is huge. Then take steps to tackle each of the four elements listed above as you experience them. Finally, keep this matter as a prayer before God constantly.

Our prayer together could be this:

God not my will, but Yours.
God not my name, but Yours.
God not my fame, but Yours.
God not for me, but You.
God help every moment of everyday for me to learn to seek less of me and more of You.
In Jesus name, Amen.

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