Make All Things New

This month, Philadelphia Magazine released their list of the 50 Most Influential People in Philadelphia. It was an enjoyable read for me to find who are the people influencing culture, politics and the like. The magazine sought to list Philadelphia’s 50 most “powerful” men and women. They define power as “the ability to get things done (bills passed, jobs created, buildings built).” However, this year they broadened the their definition and came up with five areas of power: Transformational, Influencer, Institutional, Lifestyle and Willpower. The list is of names and accomplishments is quite fascinating. From state representatives to corporate VPs, the things people are doing in wielding their power for the city is impressive. Of course, there is one name absent from the list: Jesus. I know, I know that may sound crazy. I’m sure he wasn’t even considered as being a part of what is happening in hopes for prosperity and renewal of Philadelphia. Is it silly to see this as a huge oversight?

But I can’t be too upset about it or blame them. Look, I’m a believer, yet too often my life fails to reflect Christ as among the top 50 influential people in it. So I don’t point a finger, rather, I bend my knees and pray that God would continue to change me, my marriage, our family and our church into to more dependently reliant on Christ to show his power off in our city.

While Jesus may not know be recognized as among “Philadelphia’s 50 Most Influential”, there will be a day when all will recognize his power, influence and glory:

“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)