Mao Zedong stood before China's Politburo in what turned out to be his last appearance before this body (which ruled China's Communist Party). It was May 1975, and Mao was 82 years old. He was in failing health, weak from battling Lou Gehrig's disease. For all practical purposes, he was blind, and his words barely could be understood.
Before the Politburo, Mao admitted that mistakes had been made. Yet he remained committed to maintaining control, never officially appointing a successor.
This was part of a lifelong pattern. As a student in 1918, Mao wrote that "people like me only have a duty to ourselves: we have no duty to other people." Sadly, his self-centered attitude never changed, and he seemed unapologetic that he had caused the deaths of more than 70 million Chinese. As his death approached, he continued to plot against those he considered to be rivals.
Many people in business or politics are like Mao-dedicated to power and control, seeking to build a kingdom for themselves. In sharp contrast, Jesus taught that the key to greatness was being a slave. When His disciples argued about power, He instructed them to focus on serving.
These revolutionary principles should be our cornerstone. People in the world may act like Mao, determined to seek power and build their own kingdoms, wanting to control their own destiny. But Believers are to seek first God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), making Jesus our Lord and having the heart of a servant toward others.
Today, humble yourself before God. Make Jesus the Lord of every part of your life.
Before the Politburo, Mao admitted that mistakes had been made. Yet he remained committed to maintaining control, never officially appointing a successor.
This was part of a lifelong pattern. As a student in 1918, Mao wrote that "people like me only have a duty to ourselves: we have no duty to other people." Sadly, his self-centered attitude never changed, and he seemed unapologetic that he had caused the deaths of more than 70 million Chinese. As his death approached, he continued to plot against those he considered to be rivals.
Many people in business or politics are like Mao-dedicated to power and control, seeking to build a kingdom for themselves. In sharp contrast, Jesus taught that the key to greatness was being a slave. When His disciples argued about power, He instructed them to focus on serving.
These revolutionary principles should be our cornerstone. People in the world may act like Mao, determined to seek power and build their own kingdoms, wanting to control their own destiny. But Believers are to seek first God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), making Jesus our Lord and having the heart of a servant toward others.
Today, humble yourself before God. Make Jesus the Lord of every part of your life.
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