WHERE YOU'RE PUT

What does the bully in the playground and the CEO have in common? Well, in differing measures and histories, both have been 'given' their land, their sphere of jurisdiction.
 
Think of the hundreds and thousands of choices by others that underpin the infrastructure of the playground and the successful business, at any given time in history - relationships, politics, markets, weather, loyalties, betrayals, health, agreement, disagreement...
 
That big, brash boy in the schoolyard, well, he didn't choose his size and strength, but he is choosing how to use it.
 
'Do you not realize I have the power to set you free or to put you to death?' Pilate asked Jesus (Jn 19:10).
 
Jesus did not dispute this, but referenced a Power higher than Pilate's power: 'You would not have this power if it had not been given to you by my Father.' (Jn 19:11)
 
Here the focus changes drastically - for Pilate and for us. It suggests that when all is said and done we will give an account for the 'power' (or positions) we held in this life - child, sibling, parent, colleague, employee, boss.
 
Do I see my role as 'given to me' and do I live my role 'as working for God and not for men'? (Col 3:23)