Since we’re on the theme of comparing opposing concepts, I’ll reach outside of my recent trip to The Middle East & North Africa for another. Consider this one:

Some years back, after speaking at a conference in Italy, Angie and I spent time sightseeing in Rome with friends. The city is amazing and beautiful. There were two places in Rome I had dreamed about visiting for years – The Sistene Chapel and The Catacombs. As our itinerary worked out, we visited both places on the same day – The Catacombs in the morning and St Peter’s Basilica, housing the Sistene Chapel, in the afternoon.

The Catacombs are basically an underground cave system serving as a burial ground for early Christians. The early Christians in Rome also met here for worship. As we toured the well preserved Catacombs of Priscilla, we were struck by the murals painted on the earthen walls. Many had been painted by unknown artists where hardly anyone would ever see them, for two reasons. First as acts of worshipping the Lord and second to honor the saints buried there. We could feel the Power of primitive Christianity and the Presence of the love that propelled it. These portraits were not created to make the artist famous, they were motivated by love.

Later that day we toured St Peter’s Basilica. As we entered the building, we immediately encountered La Pieta, the famous sculpture of Mary and Jesus by Michelangelo. Continuing on through a maze of remarkable artwork that seemed never ending, hours later we arrived at The Sistene Chapel. Having looked forward to this for years, I was deeply disappointed. The artwork was amazing but there was no Power or Presence, like we had discovered in the catacombs. 

Instead, you could feel the political manuevering that had occured over whose painting would be given prominence or position. The artwork carried little of the power or presence associated with the essence of Christianity. Against the backdrop of our experience in the Catacombs earlier that day, the Sistene Chapel was like the annoying clanging cymbal from 1 Corinthians 13 – a beautiful gift, but with no love to be found in it. It provided a poignant comparison with our earlier discovery.

In every endeavor we are painting portraits. Let’s paint the ones that inspire.

We visited two pyramids during our trip to Dubai and Egypt.

One is ancient. One was new. 

One was built for death – the other built to celebrate life. 

One was driven by slavery – the other was designed to empower .

The Great Pyramid of Giza is iconic. Still standing after 3 millenium and built without modern equipment it is a true wonder. Though I was amazed that something so ancient still stood, I was not inspired by my visit. It is difficult to draw inspiration from anything built upon slavery, regardless of how grand.

The Pyramid in Dubai is the Raffles Hotel where we stayed. I was inspired by this pyramid, but not by the structure. Don’t misunderstand, the building was stunning and beautiful, but it was not what captured my attention. I was deeply impacted by the staff, at even the lowest level, who carried themselves with an air of nobility that was arresting. 

They served as if they were kings and queens, welcoming travelers into their palace, and serving everyone with the noblest air. With this pyramid – the wealthy and powerful had built something that empowered these employees in a very wonderful way. I was inspired.

Leadership structures are ultimately either two types of pyramids. Those that are built on slavery and elevate one, or those that a great leader or group of leaders builds to empower many.

There were two trees in the garden.

It’s the title of one of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s also a profound revelation about the nature of God.

When reading my thoughts about slavery and empowerment in these first two posts  - someone could have reacted emotionally and said, “We’re supposed to be God’s slaves!” But it appears that having slaves was never God’s intention. If it was, then why were there two trees in the garden?

Consider:

Lucifer and a third of that creation had already fallen.

Still, God put two trees in the garden for his next creation to have choice.

With God there is always choice. And apparently for one simple reason.

It is God’s nature to empower.

Love empowers. It does not enslave.

Empowerment allows choice. Slavery demands compliance.

Empowerment allows consequences to teach. Slavery reenforces thru punishment.

Empowerment promotes and elevates. Slavery demotes and degrades.

Empowerment imparts responsibility. Slavery promotes irresponsibility.

When we realize the degree to which He empowered us, we may begin to understand that the difficulty the earth is experiencing are not acts of God, but the consequences of the actions of humanity. We may then understand that the earth is bearing the fruit of the seeds of violence we have sown into it through our fear, greed and lust, which began as soon as we fell away from Him.

If we then realize our (mankind’s) responsibility for creating the world in which we live and the condition of our planet, then we may stop blaming Him for the consequences of humanity’s actions. Maybe then we also stop excusing ourselves by the mistaken notice that God is in control of things on the earth, though He gave us authority and responsibility as soon as we were created.  

Maybe then we will see a new world emerge, when we realize how much He has empowered us.

Slavery or Empowerment. This is the primary issue.

In both Dubai and Egypt we met wonderful people. As with all cultures, both have strengths and weaknesses. However the differences in how these two societies were built are striking and are powerful. No difference was as profound as the issue of leadership and how these leaders related to their people.

     The President of Dubai                   The Former President of Egypt

Sheik Mohammed empowers people.      President Mubarak enslaved them.

Is loved by the people.                          Was feared by the people.

Uses his wealth to grow people.                Used his people to grow his wealth.

Sees himself as a servant to people.         Saw the people as servants to him.

An Egyptian businessman related this story to me about Dubai’s President. A friend of this man was asked to address a group of business leaders in his area of expertise. Twenty minutes into his lecture, he realized that Dubai’s President, Sheik Mohammed was in attendance, quietly taking notes along with everyone else. When he stopped his lecture in deference to the President, Sheik Mohammad kindly declined the recognition and responded, “Please continue, I am here to learn along with everyone else. I want to be a better leader for my people.” 

New World leaders realize their position exists to serve the people. Old World leaders believe the people exist to provide them a position.

A new world can emerge if we empower people to become all that God has created them to be. If you are leader – that is why your position exists.

I recently spent several weeks in two cities that provide a prophetic picture of two different futures – Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Cairo, Egypt. These cities represent two divergent approaches to life which have have produced drastically different results.

Egypt has close to 6000 years of recorded history and is still a developing county.

The UAE is less than 40 years old and Dubai may be the most highly developed city in the world.

Though each are filled with wonderful people, their approach to building society could not be more diverse.

One was built on slavery … the other was built on empowering their people.

The other lessons are equally as stark and powerful.