Power & Control - Part II

by Tim Knappenberger

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

Ever kicked back in your office chair with your hands behind your head savoring that huge business success you just pulled off and thinking to yourself, "You know fella, you were awesome today! You really nailed that deal!" Or maybe you swell with pride as you finish wiping off the last bit of waxed haze from the candy apple red ’66 Mustang you restored with your own two hands. "Man, is she ever a beaut! Or you find that perfect dress to wear to the 15^th high school class reunion that makes you look every bit as attractive and desirable as you were when you were voted homecoming queen. I wonder what went through Michael Jordon’s mind as he took home his 5^th NBA Championship trophy? "You know Mike, ole’ buddy, your place in NBA history as THE basketball player of all time is a lock!" Who knows? What we do know is that we all have had those times when all the pieces seem to fall into place and, at least for a moment, we kick back and savor our success. It may be a BIG win like landing the presidency of a major corporation or a little one like connecting with the sweet spot on the golf ball and driving 75 yards beyond everyone else in your foursome. Big or small, the feeling we get from feeling as if we’re in control is intoxicating. It was no different for King Nebuchadnezzar.

Can’t you just see him there lying on his royal couch in the palace, as he himself says "contented and prosperous," surrounded by servants and splendor, overlooking the Hanging Gardens, running through his "I-got-mine" checklist? He’d conquered all of his foes and his word was law. Yet into this picture of total control and absolute power creeps a troubling and unsettling dream that absolutely terrifies this absolute ruler. So upset is our good king that he anxiously searches out someone who can tell him the dream’s meaning. Enter Daniel.

Lest you think I’m inferring that today’s "Tiddy Tilly" who insists on daily vacuuming the carpet will become tomorrow’s hatchet-wielding Lizzy Borden, you’re wrong. What I am saying , however, is that the Dahmer’s eating their victims to gain a false sense of control and the Knappenberger’s manicuring their lawns to achieve a lesser amount of the same thing are only separated by a matter of degrees on the same scale. Both are under a sin-induced delusion that security can, in fact, be achieved if but just all the "ducks" can be persuaded to "stay in a row," even for the briefest of time. Jesus spoke to the utter futility of Man attempting to control his own destiny when He posed the query, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Had He been addressing today’s audience (which, come to think of it, He is) He might have substituted worrying with: by working overtime? by keeping an immaculate house? by attending 15 Stephen Covey workshops? by covering your wall with more sheepskins than you can find in Little Bo Peep’s backyard? Since any response falls far short of an adequate answer, He follows up with an even more probing question, "Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Why indeed, LORD?!

The old testament is full of wonderful stories that put human flesh on concepts and principles God would have us know. The story of King Nebuchadnezzar is one that plainly illustrates that the ultimate ordering of our lives belongs to God, not us. Not only did good King Nebuchadnezzar have his "ducks in a row," he had them gold plated! But God had something more in mind for Nebuchadnezzar. Something beyond orderly ducks and an orderly, controlled life. But rather than me tell it, let the good King speak for himself. . .

See: Power & Control - Part III July 5th

King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:1-3