What is empowerment?
Empowerment is hard. It doesn’t matter if you are running a company in America, or partnering across cultures to host bible studies abroad. Its not the easy route. To rely on yourself and only yourself is easy. To bring others into the process takes much more patience.
Empowerment means less is more. It takes raw humility. It sometimes means denying the things I love to do and my own personal crave for achievement. Its about stepping out of the spot light.
Its forced silence, even when its painful.
Its handing someone a microphone even when they don’t think they can talk.
Empowerment requires flexibility. It means being okay with things not going your way because you delegate control. It means taking on extra concerns, variables, and issues that can’t be calculated. It means stepping in when people don’t show up or when things fall through.
Empowerment is being calm in the midst of confusion and supporting those people when they make mistakes. Its understanding that people aren’t perfect.
In many ways God empowers us. We live for a God who can do anything just by speaking it into existence, yet he chooses to work with us. He lets us in on his plan and gives us a role. He lets us mess up, and always uses our mistakes for good. He never gives up on us, but believes that our partnership is worth fighting for.
It means telling someone, “you are going to teach me today.” And letting them realize they more than they think to offer.
Empowerment takes time- a lot of it. When groups have been living in oppression or economic deprivation for years, you can’t break the cycle in one shot, one week, one month, or one year. It requires patience and solidarity. Its not about fixing people or being the super hero. Its showing them that with God- they can be a super hero to someone else.
Its about handing someone a hammer to knock down their own walls. Its about cheering them on through the process.
Empowerment is asking questions. It causes people to think critically. We ask questions to people who have a long history of only being told things. Its showing someone that their voice matters.
Its learning from those who most people only “help.” Its letting someone prove to his/herself that they have things worthy of sharing.
Empowerment is putting people first.
It is a mental game. It starts with redefining a self-image.
To empower requires that we look at others the same way that God does. It means pursing human dignity.
Empowerment mends lies that people believe about themselves.
Its believing in people even when they don’t believe in themselves.
Empowerment is true leadership.
Empowerment is frustrating, but ALWAYS worth it.
It makes God smile.
Empowerment is what we are called to do as “missionaries” and disciples of Christ.
To empower each other was God’s plan for his people.
